dominican famous

charytin goyco (television)

2007-08-08T17:14:00.018-07:00

Charytín Goyco (born May 23, 1944), better known in the show business plainly as Charytín, is a singer and actress from the Dominican Republic. Born in Santo Domingo to a Dominican father and a Spanish mother (her mother was an attorney from Asturias, Spain who found herself exiled during the regime of Francisco Franco), her mother took her and her sister to Spain after breaking up with her father. She returned to the Dominican Republic after nearly ten years of living abroad, when her parents reconciled.
Charytín moved to Puerto Rico in the 1970s, where she met her husband, television actor and producer Elin Ortiz. She immediately identified herself with Puerto Rico's living so much, that she started identifying herself as Puerto Rican. During the 1970s, she began a weekly TV show on WAPA-TV and that show lasted until 1985 every Sunday night. During the 1970s, Charytín became an international superstar, with her song Mosquita Muerta, named after a character she played on a comedy section of her show, becoming a chart topper in places like Mexico, Venezuela, and Argentina. In 1979, she and Elin had their first son, Shalim, who is now a budding singer and actor that has appeared on Lizzie McGuire, among other shows.
During the 1980s, the Puerto Rican press came out with reports that she and fellow singing superstar Iris Chacon were bitter enemies, but both singers deny that to this date. Iris was married to Elin Ortiz from 1969 to 1970.
In 1983, Charytín made a movie in Spanish named Verano En Nueva York with Mexican actor Julio Alemán. (Summer In New York). Two of the songs on that movie's soundtrack, Tu Vida Es Un Suspenso Hasta El Final & Para Llegar, became another chart toppers for Charytín. In 1986, she and Chacon acted together, alongside Dominican-Mexican actor Andres Garcia and Puerto Rican best selling singer, Yolandita Monge, on a soap opera named Escandalo. This telenovela did not enjoy much success and was cut by half by the producers. In 1988, she moved to Miami with Elin and Shalim, and in late 1989, she became pregnant again, giving birth in 1990 to a pair of twins: a boy and a girl.
During the early 1990s, she dedicated herself to raise her twins, taking them along on the few tours she did and her several trips to Puerto Rico. Late in the 1990s, she returned to television, hosting a show for a television shopping network. In 2002, she began hosting a celebrity gossip show, Escándalo TV, for Telefutura, and rumors abounded that she and Chacon will join forces for a TV show in the future. However, these rumors never became a reality.
On April 19, 2003, Charytin won the Asociación de Cronistas de Espectáculos de Nueva York's Premio Extraordinario ACE por Distinción y Mérito (ACE Extraordinary Award for Distinction and Merit) at its 35th Annual ACE Awards presentation.[1],

rafael campos (television)

2007-08-08T17:14:00.017-07:00

Rafael Campos (I)
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Date of Birth:13 May 1936, Santiago, Dominican Republic more
Date of Death:9 July 1985, Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA. (cancer) more
US TV Schedule:
Sat. Aug. 11
9:00 AM
HALMRK
Savage Sam

Jump to filmography as: Actor, Archive Footage
Actor:
1990s
1980s
1970s
1960s
1950s
Siete cafés por semana (1999) ... aka Seven Coffees on a Week (International: English title)
"Función de noche" (1 episode, 1997) - Los melindres de Belisa (1997) TV Episode
The Return of Josey Wales (1986) .... Chato
Fever Pitch (1985) .... Rafael
"The A-Team" (2 episodes, 1984) - The Bend in the River: Part 1 (1984) TV Episode - The Bend in the River: Part 2 (1984) TV Episode
"V: The Final Battle" (1984) (mini) TV Series .... Sancho Gomez
A Streetcar Named Desire (1984) (TV) .... Pablo
"Airwolf" .... Joachim Santos (1 episode, 1984)... aka Lobo del aire (USA: Spanish title) - Bite of the Jackal (1984) TV Episode .... Joachim Santos
"Matt Houston" (1 episode, 1983) - Needle in a Haystack (1983) TV Episode
Heartbreaker (1983) .... Alfonso
V (1983) (TV) .... Sancho Gomez... aka V: The Original Mini Series (USA: DVD title)
"St. Elsewhere" .... Ramon (3 episodes, 1982) - Legionnaires: Part 2 (1982) TV Episode .... Ramon - Legionnaires: Part 1 (1982) TV Episode .... Ramon - Pilot (1982) TV Episode .... Ramon
"T.J. Hooker" .... Carlo Vega (1 episode, 1982) - A Cry for Help (1982) TV Episode .... Carlo Vega
The Return of Frank Cannon (1980) (TV) .... Luis Barrientos
Where the Buffalo Roam (1980) .... Rojas
Return of the Mod Squad (1979) (TV) .... Johnny Sorella
"Lou Grant" .... Jesus (1 episode, 1979) - Sweep (1979) TV Episode .... Jesus
"Centennial" (1978) (mini) TV Series .... Nacho Gomez
"Rhoda" .... Ramon Diaz Jr. (3 episodes, 1977-1978) - Ida Works Out (1977) TV Episode .... Ramon Diaz Jr. - One Is a Number (1977) TV Episode .... Ramon Diaz Jr. - The Job (1977) TV Episode .... Ramon Diaz Jr.
Killer on Board (1977) (TV) .... Miguel
"The Streets of San Francisco" .... Chico / ... (3 episodes, 1974-1977) - Hang Tough (1977) TV Episode .... Emilio 'Spider' Gonzales - False Witness (1975) TV Episode .... Chico - Rampage (1974) TV Episode .... Turgan
Slumber Party '57 (1976) .... Dope Fiend... aka Teenage Slumber Party
"Jigsaw John" (1 episode, 1976) - The Mourning Line (1976) TV Episode
"McCloud" .... Manny (1 episode, 1974) - The 42nd Street Cavalry (1974) TV Episode .... Manny
Hangup (1974) .... Longnose... aka Super Dude
The Hanged Man (1974) (TV) .... Father Alvaro
"Shaft" .... Juan Otero (1 episode, 1973) - The Enforcers (1973) TV Episode .... Juan Otero
The Doll Squad (1973) .... Rafael... aka Female Mercenaries (USA: video title) ... aka Seduce and Destroy (USA)
Oklahoma Crude (1973) .... Jimmy
"McMillan & Wife" .... Mendoza (1 episode, 1973)... aka McMillan (USA: sixth season title) - Two Dollars on Trouble to Win (1973) TV Episode .... Mendoza
"Ironside" .... Kid Valdez (2 episodes, 1968-1973)... aka The Raymond Burr Show (USA: syndication title) - The Best Laid Plans (1973) TV Episode - The Sacrifice (1968) TV Episode .... Kid Valdez
"The Rookies" .... Danny Santos (1 episode, 1973) - Point of Impact (1973) TV Episode .... Danny Santos
"All in the Family" .... Little Emanuel (1 episode, 1971) - The Insurance Is Canceled (1971) TV Episode .... Little Emanuel
"The Interns" .... Chico Ruiz (1 episode, 1971) - The Guardian (1971) TV Episode .... Chico Ruiz
"Adam-12" .... Mike / ... (2 episodes, 1970-1971) - Log 115: Gang War (1971) TV Episode .... Pepe Romero - Log 64: Bottom of the Bottle (1970) TV Episode .... Mike
Outlaw Riders (1971)
"Marcus Welby, M.D." .... Felix Azevedo (1 episode, 1970)... aka Robert Young, Family Doctor - Nobody Wants a Fat Jockey (1970) TV Episode .... Felix Azevedo
"The Name of the Game" .... Quito Mendares (1 episode, 1969) - Chains of Command (1969) TV Episode .... Quito Mendares
The Astro-Zombies (1968) .... Juan... aka Space Zombies ... aka The Space Vampires
Girl in Gold Boots (1968) (uncredited)
"The Big Valley" .... Charley White Horse / ... (2 episodes, 1967-1968) - Fall of a Hero (1968) TV Episode .... Charley White Horse - Four Days to Furnace Hill (1967) TV Episode .... Santiago
"Hondo" .... Hernandez (1 episode, 1967) - Hondo and the Rebel Hat (1967) TV Episode .... Hernandez
"Disneyland" .... Juarez / ... (5 episodes, 1964-1967)... aka Disney's Wonderful World (USA: new title) ... aka The Disney Sunday Movie (USA: new title) ... aka The Magical World of Disney (USA: new title) ... aka The Wonderful World of Disney (USA: new title) ... aka Walt Disney (USA: new title) ... aka Walt Disney Presents (USA: new title) ... aka Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color (USA: new title) - A Boy Called Nuthin': Part 2 (1967) TV Episode .... Peewee - A Boy Called Nuthin': Part 1 (1967) TV Episode .... Peewee - The Tenderfoot: Part 3 (1964) TV Episode .... Juarez - The Tenderfoot: Part 2 (1964) TV Episode .... Juarez - The Tenderfoot: Part 1 (1964) TV Episode .... Juarez
A Boy Called Nuthin' (1967) (TV) .... Peewee
"T.H.E. Cat" .... Felipe (1 episode, 1966) - King of Limpets (1966) TV Episode .... Felipe
"The F.B.I." .... Newsboy (1 episode, 1966) - Collision Course (1966) TV Episode .... Newsboy
"Gunsmoke" .... Miguel Samando / ... (2 episodes, 1965-1966)... aka Gun Law (UK) ... aka Marshal Dillon (USA: rerun title) - The Mission (1966) TV Episode .... Young Soldier - Ten Little Indians (1965) TV Episode .... Miguel Samando
"The Girl from U.N.C.L.E." .... Aboud (1 episode, 1966) - The Prisoner of Zalamar Affair (1966) TV Episode .... Aboud
The Appaloosa (1966) .... Paco... aka Southwest to Sonora (UK)
Mister Buddwing (1966) .... Dice Player... aka Woman Without a Face
"Branded" .... Luis (1 episode, 1966) - The Ghost of Murietta (1966) TV Episode .... Luis
Agent for H.A.R.M. (1966) .... Luis
"Kraft Suspense Theatre" .... Alonzo (1 episode, 1964) - Threepersons (1964) TV Episode .... Alonzo
Lady in a Cage (1964) .... Essie
"The Nurses" .... Damon Fuentes (1 episode, 1963)... aka The Doctors and the Nurses (USA: new title) - The Unwanted (1963) TV Episode .... Damon Fuentes
"Temple Houston" .... Angel Chavez (1 episode, 1963) - Find Angel Chavez (1963) TV Episode .... Angel Chavez
Savage Sam (1963) .... Young Warrior
"Alcoa Premiere" .... Kiko (1 episode, 1963) - The Hat of Sergeant Martin (1963) TV Episode .... Kiko
"Have Gun - Will Travel" .... Doroteo / ... (2 episodes, 1959-1962) - A Miracle for St. Francis (1962) TV Episode .... Paco - Pancho (1959) TV Episode .... Doroteo
"Alfred Hitchcock Presents" .... Gino (1 episode, 1962) - The Big Score (1962) TV Episode .... Gino
"Laramie" .... Juan De La O (1 episode, 1962) - The Barefoot Kid (1962) TV Episode .... Juan De La O
"Outlaws" .... Valdez (1 episode, 1961) - The Little Colonel (1961) TV Episode .... Valdez
"Sugarfoot" (1 episode, 1961)... aka Tenderfoot (UK) - Shepherd with a Gun (1961) TV Episode
"Adventures in Paradise" .... Tu (1 episode, 1961) - The Good Killing (1961) TV Episode .... Tu
"The Barbara Stanwyck Show" .... Alfredo Susarrey (1 episode, 1961) - The Cornerstone (1961) TV Episode .... Alfredo Susarrey
"Wagon Train" .... Dr. Swift Cloud / ... (2 episodes, 1959-1960)... aka Major Adams, Trail Master - The Dr. Swift Cloud Story (1960) TV Episode .... Dr. Swift Cloud - The Swift Cloud Story (1959) TV Episode .... Swift Cloud
"Bourbon Street Beat" .... Leo Garcia (1 episode, 1960) - Deadly Persuasion (1960) TV Episode .... Leo Garcia
"Death Valley Days" (1 episode, 1960)... aka Call of the West (USA: syndication title) ... aka The Pioneers (USA: syndication title) ... aka Trails West (USA: syndication title) ... aka Western Star Theater (USA: syndication title) - Goodbye Five Hundred Pesos (1960) TV Episode
"Wanted: Dead or Alive" .... Pachito (1 episode, 1959) - Desert Seed (1959) TV Episode .... Pachito
"The Restless Gun" .... Carlos Perez (1 episode, 1959) - Ride with the Devil (1959) TV Episode .... Carlos Perez
"Goodyear Theatre" .... Rafael Jalisco (1 episode, 1959)... aka Award Theatre (USA: syndication title) ... aka Golden Years of Television (USA: cable TV title) - Afternoon of the Beast (1959) TV Episode .... Rafael Jalisco
"Playhouse 90" .... Jules Roman (1 episode, 1959) - The Blue Men (1959) TV Episode .... Jules Roman
"Rescue 8" .... Carlos (1 episode, 1959) - The Secret of the Mission (1959) TV Episode .... Carlos
Tonka (1958) .... Strong Bear... aka A Horse Named Comanche (USA: reissue title)
"Shirley Temple's Storybook" .... Abdullah (1 episode, 1958)... aka The Shirley Temple Theatre (USA: third season title) - Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves (1958) TV Episode .... Abdullah
The Light in the Forest (1958) .... Half Arrow
"Code 3" (1 episode, 1957) - The Nelson Case (1957) TV Episode
Dino (1957) .... Boy #2... aka Killer Dino (UK)
This Could Be the Night (1957) .... Hussein Mohammed
"Conflict" .... Vince (1 episode, 1956) - Silent Journey (1956) TV Episode .... Vince
The Sharkfighters (1956) .... Carlos
"The Alcoa Hour" .... Raphael Infante (1 episode, 1956) - Tragedy in a Temporary Town (1956) TV Episode .... Raphael Infante
"TV Reader's Digest" (1 episode, 1956) - Texas in New York (1956) TV Episode
Trial (1955) .... Angel Chavez
Blackboard Jungle (1955) .... Pete V. Morales... aka The Blackboard Jungle (USA: review title

carlos camara (television)

2007-08-08T17:14:00.016-07:00

Carlos Cámara
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Date of Birth:9 January 1934, Dominican Republic more
Trivia:He is the father of Venezulan actors 'Victor Camara' and 'Carlos Camara Jr' . more

Jump to filmography as: Actor, Composer, Self
Actor:
2000s
1990s
1980s
1970s
1960s
"Fea más bella, La" .... Licenciado (1 episode, 2006) - La fea más bella (2006) TV Episode .... Licenciado
"Peregrina" (2005) TV Series .... Eliseo
Rubí... La descarada (2004) (TV) .... José Luis Bermúdez
"Rubí" .... Dr. José Luis Bermúdez (1 episode, 2004) - Rubí (2004) TV Episode .... Dr. José Luis Bermúdez
"Amor real" .... Ramón Márquez (1 episode, 2003)... aka Real Love (International: English title) - Amor real (2003) TV Episode .... Ramón Márquez
"Intrusa, La" .... Rodrigo Junquera (1 episode, 2001) - La intrusa (2001) TV Episode .... Rodrigo Junquera
"Mentira, La" .... José 'Pepe' Diez (1 episode, 1998) - La mentira (1998) TV Episode .... José 'Pepe' Diez
"Soñadoras" (1998) TV Series .... Marconi
Luz en la oscuridad, Una (1997)
"Alma no tiene color, El" (1997) TV Series .... Humberto Roldán
"Volver a vivir" (1996) TV Series .... Miguel Ángel Bernal
"Bajo un mismo rostro" (1995) TV Series .... Carlos
Gata por liebre (1992)
"Mágica juventud" (1992) TV Series
Guerra contra las drogas, La (1990)
"Al filo de la muerte" (1990) TV Series .... Luigi
Y tú.. quién eres? (1990)
"Extraño Retorno de Diana Salazar, El" (1988) TV Series .... Luther Henrich/Franz Webber (1988-1989)
"Cuna de lobos" (1986) TV Series .... Dr. Gutiérrez
"Maria José, oficios del hogar" (1 episode, 1986) - Episode #1.1 (1986) TV Episode
Masacre en el río Tula (1985)
"Juana Iris" (1985) TV Series
"Principessa" (1984) TV Series .... Máximo
"Fiera, La" (1983) TV Series
"Vanessa" (1982) TV Series .... Artemio de Saint-Germain
"Por amor" (1982) TV Series
Leyenda de Rodrígo, La (1981)
"Infamia" (1981) TV Series .... Inspector Carmona
"Winnetou le mescalero" (1980) TV Series .... Mortimer... aka My Friend Winnetou (Europe: English title)
"Espejismo" (1980) TV Series .... Roman
Guerra santa, La (1979) .... Padre Soler... aka Cristiada, La (Mexico: subtitle)
"Ricos también lloran, Los" (1979) TV Series .... Carlos
"Cielo es para todos, El" (1979) TV Series
"Viviana" (1978) TV Series .... Don Jesus
Supervivientes de los Andes (1976) ... aka Survive! (USA)
Aventuras de un caballo blanco y un niño (1975)
En busca de un muro (1974) .... Eisenstein
Conserje en condominio (1974)
Monasterio de los buitres, El (1973)
Mujer honesta, Una (1972)
"Carruaje, El" (1972) TV Series
"Amor tiene cara de mujer, El" (1971) TV Series .... Alfredo Bustamante
"Lucia Sombra" (1971) TV Series .... Dr. Pablo Orazabal
Fallaste corazón (1970)
Chicas malas del padre Mendez, Las (1970)
"Gata, La" (1970) TV Series .... El Tilico
"Cadenas de angustia" (1969) TV Series
"Pablo y Alicia" (1969) (mini) TV Series
"Hacia la luz" (1961) TV Series
"Otra, La" (1961) TV Series .... Alvaro
"Rival, La" (1960) TV Series
Composer:

monica boyar (television)

2007-08-08T17:14:00.015-07:00

Monica Boyar is a Dominican nightclub club singer who was popular in the 1940s and 1950s.
Contents[hide]
1 Musical Influence
2 Theater
3 Clothing Designer
4 Other
5 References
//

[edit] Musical Influence
Boyar became a United States citizen after residing in the country from the age of six. She is a dedicated student of the folk music of all countries.
She was called the satin Latin song stylist. and sometimes the Ruban Blue-Bird. Walter Winchell said that she was the finest Latin talent in the entertainment field in 1960.
During the 1939 New York World's Fair she made a concerted effort to persuade Americans to adopt the Dominican Republic's native dance, the merengue. An initial reluctance eventually subsided, and by 1955 it was the fastest growing dance in the U.S. When Boyar introduced calypso songs to America, many felt the music was not commercial. By 1954 calypso songs were among the bestsellers.
She introduced a new song, That's Why A Woman Loves A Heel, in October 1945. By 1948 Boyar had appeared on every overseas radio network. Boyar entertained at Ciro's in Mexico City and the Hotel Nacional in Havana. Among her numerous nightclub engagements was a December 1955 performance at the Viennese Lantern, at 242 East 79th Street in Yorkville, Manhattan. A lawsuit was taken out by an angry tenant who resided above the club. He contended that Boyar's bongo drummer kept him awake.

[edit] Theater
Boyar made her debut as an actress on Broadway in August 1948, in Summer and Smoke. She played an alluring Mexican woman who she at first disliked depicting. She became an overnight sensation after she was selected for this role by Tennessee Williams.
She caused a stir when she abruptly walked off from a matinee performance of 13 Daughters (1961). She left Don Ameche and other cast members speechless and resorting to ad libbing. Boyar was incensed by drilling during construction of the Americana Hotel. As she was departing she expressed her anger to the building foreman.

[edit] Clothing Designer
Boyar was a fashion designer for stage and motion picture stars. Her designs were very original yet simple. She also created expensive handbags. She had over two hundred gowns to wear to performances in her New York City apartment.

[edit] Other
She appeared in Princess Papaya (1945). The concert film directed by Josef Berne included footage of vocalist Sylvia Opert. Boyar played a singer in an episode of the television show Mister Peepers, in 1952. In 1961 she received a Universal Pictures screen test.
Marlon Brando visited Boyar, who was a friend of his, when she was hospitalized at Lennox Hill Hospital, in January 1955. She married comedian Lee Tully in March 1958 and divorced him in Mexico in June. She was previously married to actor Leslie Nielsen. Boyar and Nielsen were married for five years, separating in August 1955. Nielsen obtained a default divorce in June 1956. He agreed to pay $19,000 in lieu of alimony with monthly instalments of $500.

[edit] References
"Brook Club Star Resented Broadway Role In Stage Play That Brought Her Fame", Bradford Era, July 6, 1949, p. 6.
"Walter Winchell", Charleston Daily Mail, October 29, 1945, p. 10.
"Dorothy Kilgallen; Broadway", Charleston Gazette, January 14, 1955, p. 6.
"Default Divorce Obtained by Nielsen", Long Beach Independent, June 9, 1956, p. 5.
"It Happened Last Night", Lowell Sun, March 26, 1961, p. 32.
"Monica Boyar Due For Spanking", Lowell Sun, March 30, 1961, p. 15.
"Dorothy Kilgallen", Mansfield News Journal, June 24, 1958, p. 22.
"Walter Winchell", Nevada State Journal, August 26, 1960, p. 8.
"Harold Lang Gets Top Role In Show", New York Times, August 21, 1948, p. 9.
"Monica Boyar", New York Times, December 13, 1955, p. 56.
"The Voice of Broadway", Oneonta Star, October 31, 1955, p. 4.
"Salamanca Women Will Marvel At Gowns Designed By Brook Club Singer", Salamanca Republican-Press, July 8, 1949, p. 5.
"Ex Canadian Farm Boy Gets Sophisticated Film City Rolse", San Mateo Times, June 2, 1956, p. 17.
"Monica Boyar's Dominion:Merengue and Goulash", Yuma Daily Sun, October 25, 1955, p. 10.

julissa bermudez (television)

2007-08-08T17:14:00.014-07:00

Julissa Bermudez was born on September 28, 1983 in the Dominican Republic, and was raised in Queens, New York in the USA.

[edit] Early life
The youngest and only girl of four siblings, Bermudez grew up in Queens in a close-knit family that encouraged her dreams of stardom. While attending New York's Talent Unlimited High School as a theatre major, Bermudez started auditioning and modeling. She got her first big break with a Coca-Cola commercial, and she was one of the six finalists who competed to represent singer Jennifer Lopez' sweetface fashion line.

[edit] Career
From there, Bermudez started working as a VJ for Mun2, a Latin music television network where her Dominican heritage and bilingual skills were advantages. However, what helped her out even more was her insatiable desire to learn everything she could about the television industry.
She was the host of BET's The Center and was a temporary cohost of 106 & Park after BET personalities A.J. Calloway and Free left the show, but was replaced (along with her usual cohost Big Tigger) on July 10, 2006 by Rocsi and Terrence J, two BET personalities who won the previous years' BET New Faces Contest. Julissa's title is currently that of "BET Host", despite the fact that she does not host her own show. Since The Center's cancellation, Julissa has made appearances on BET's The Black Carpet as a correspondent and on May 22, 2007, she was a guest host (along with Trey Songz) on 106 & Park.
As the network's first Latina host, Bermudez has become a role model for much of her community. She is proud that her success is encouraging others. In years to come, Bermudez hopes to have the opportunity to show her culture on the grander scale.
She will next appear opposite Mary Elizabeth Winstead in the dancing film Make it Happen, from The Weinstein Company.

[edit] Personal Life
Bermudez's boyfriend is Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson. She is close friends with Hip-Hop/Soul Duo Nina Sky and American Idol finalist Antonella Barba.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julissa_Bermudez"
Categories: Articles lacking sources from July 2006 All articles lacking sources Living people People from Queens People from New York City 1983 births Dominican Republic models

freddy beras goyco (television)

2007-08-08T17:14:00.013-07:00

Freddy Beras Goyco (born in 1940 in El Seibo Province, Dominican Republic) is a Dominican television producer, comedian, writer and actor.

[edit] Biography
Beras Goyco[1] was raised in a wealthy, loving family and received a top-notch education. During the 1950s, his family fled the Dominican Republic due to the brutal regime of the Trujillo dictatorship and settled in Colombia, where he spent several years before returning to his homeland. All this would shape his comedic style, making him a well-known entertainer for years to come. Beras Goyco has been married twice, currently with Pilar Mejia, and has several children. He is the cousin of Spanish-language television star Charytin.

[edit] Career
Beras Goyco returned to the Dominican Republic in the sixties, and he started his career working as cameraman, then in advertising but always linked to television.
He began creating comedic shows for radio and TV, and he met many friends that became, along with him, the best comic team of the Dominican television: Felipe Polanco, Cuquin Victoria[2], Cecilia Garcia, the slain Milton Pelaez, and many more. Often, Beras-Goico and his actors weren't unable ato stifle their laughter, making the sketeches all more enjoyable.
He also created his own weekly show, El Gordo de la Semana, which became his trademark program and lasted more than 30 years on air. Also noticeable was Punto Final, a late night show well remembered for the hilarious comedic sketches.
Beras Goyco is well known for his philanthropic work, specially by providng medical assistance for poor dominicans through his foundation and private hospital, Corazones Unidos. Recently, he won the Cassandra award for best actor, for his role in Victor Victoria, and continues to host the nightly show "Con Freddy y Punto", where he shareshost duties with Felipe Polanco and Pamela Sued.

tina aumont (television)

2007-08-08T17:14:00.012-07:00

Maria Christina Aumont, best known as Tina Aumont (February 14, 1946 – October 28, 2006) was a French actress.
She was born in Hollywood, California, the daughter of actors Jean-Pierre Aumont and Maria Montez.
She made her debut as Tina Marquand in Joseph Losey's 1966 movie Modesty Blaise. She worked in Italian cinema with, among others, Alberto Sordi (Scusi, lei è favorevole o contrario?, 1966), Tinto Brass (L'urlo, 1968 and Salon Kitty, 1975), Mauro Bolognini (Fatti di gente perbene, 1974), Francesco Rosi (Cadaveri eccellenti, 1975), and Federico Fellini (Fellini's Casanova, 1976).
She married actor and film director Christian Marquand in 1963. In 2000 she retired from film work. She suffered pulmonary embolism and died in Port-Vendres, Pyrénées-Orientales, France at age 60

nancy alvarez (television)

2007-08-08T17:14:00.011-07:00

ncy Alvarez is a Dominican psychologist, sexologist, singer, and family therapist. She is best known for hosting her talk show, ¿Quién Tiene La Razón? (Who's Right?) produced by Venevision International and airs on Telefutura
Contents[hide]
1 Television
2 Writer
3 Professional
4 Nancy Alvarez, the Performer
5 Studies
6 Personal life
7 See also
//

[edit] Television
Alvarez has hosted and produced several television shows. From 1985 to 1989, she produced the show Only for Adults (Solo para Adultos) and then a section titled Prohibido (Forbidden) in the show 100 Grados (100 Degrees) for 4 years.
She also produced the educational program titled Bloque de Fuego (Fire Block) for which he obtained several awards. Then she produced and hosted the program Nancy en Especial and El Alma Desnuda de los Famosos (The Naked Soul of the Famous).
She currently hosts the show ¿Quién Tiene La Razón? (Who's Right?).

[edit] Writer
Alvarez has worked as a writer for several newspapers in Santo Domingo. She started writing in 1995 for the El Nacional newspaper. Then she wrote articles for the Listín Diario and Ultima Hora. In 1997 she started writing a column in Hoy and El Nacional.

[edit] Professional
Alvarez has been vicepresident of the Center of Clinical and Industrial Psychology. She's actually the president of Psychology and Sexuality Counselors, Inc. She has also dedicated time for private counseling.

[edit] Nancy Alvarez, the Performer
Alvarez started her career as a singer at the early age of 15. She was the lead singer of international Michel Camilo's Band in the 70's. In 2005, she decided to return to the musical scenario, without leaving her career as a sexologist, so she created a unique performance, where she educates people in matters of sex and at the same time, performs songs related to it. She started presenting these stand-up musical shows in Puerto Rico and they're still running throughout the world. The reviews have been outstanding in New York, Miami, Puerto Rico, and Santo Domingo. The famous singer and composer from Puerto Rico: Lou Briel, is her partner in this show, performing as a singer and musical director. Currently, the show is titled: "Sólo para Hombres... y también para Mujeres". Nancy Alvarez is a versatile woman with no limits at all, and who pursues the phrase that the Sky is the Limit.

[edit] Studies
Alvarez has received several degrees throughout her career. Some of them are:
Licensed in Clinical Psychology from the Pedro Henríquez Ureña University in Santo Domingo.
Master's degree in Sexual and Couples Therapy from APEC University in Santo Domingo.
Currently working on a Master's degree in Family therapy from the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo.
Currently working on a Doctorate in Family therapy from the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo.
Master's degree in PNL, certified by INLPTA from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Post-grade in Human sexuality from the American Academy of Clinical Sexologists, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Trained as a Regression therapist in past lives with Brian Weiss and Dr. Roger Woolger.
Hypnotherapy, Wellness and Life Enhancement Training Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Hypnotherapy and Clinical Hypnosis from the Hypnotherapy Center of Miami, Florida.

[edit] Personal life
Alvarez is divorced and has a daughter from her former marriage.

magali febles (dueñ de miss puerto rico,santomingo)

2007-08-08T17:14:00.010-07:00

Magali Febles (born 1951) is a famous Dominican beautician. She is the former owner of two luxurious salons,Magali Febles Salon and Spa in San Juan. Unfortunately for Febles, due to financial complications, she had no other choice but to sell these and dedicate her time to events production.
Febles was named in 2003 as new national director of the Miss Puerto Rico contest. As such, she travels each year to the Miss Universe contest with Puerto Rico's representantives while she holds that position. In May of 2003 she travelled to Panama to watch for every detail concerning the care and behaviour of Miss Puerto Rico 2003, Carla Tricoli, in the weeks before the 2003 Miss Universe contest.
Febles gained nationwide fame in Puerto Rico towards the late 1990s and the early 2000s, as the organizers of both Miss Puerto Rico Universe and Miss World Puerto Rico contests began assigning her to care for every detail concerning their respective winner's beauty care. She has been the object of many newspaper and magazine articles, and, after Tricoli won the Miss Puerto Rico contest, Periodico El Vocero published a photo article that showed her flying with Tricoli to Tricoli's native town of Vieques, where they were received by a small gathering of fans at Vieques airport.
Rumors surfaced, in September of 2003, that Febles was interested in becoming the national director of the Miss Republica Dominicana contest too. At the time, Febles did not deny or confirm this, saying only that that "seems like an interesting idea". On November of 2003, with Amelia Vega on her left, Febles was announced as the new national director of Miss Republica Dominicana, becoming the first Dominican to head two Miss Universe affiliated contests at the same time. In 2005 complaints arose that Miss Republica Dominicana pageant had to be managed locally due to financials contrains in part of Febles.
On September of 2005, she was sued by Miss Puerto Rico 2005, Cynthia Olavarria, who allegued mistreatment towards Miss Puerto Rico winners and favoritism towards Miss Dominican Republic winners by Febles. The lawsuit also allegued that previous Miss Puerto Rico winners had also suffered mistreatment by Febles. Febles answered by stating on national television that she does not have that amount of money. Alleguedly, she also sent a representative to ask Olavarria to give up her title as Miss Puerto Rico during one of Olavarria's personal appearances. Nevertheless, she was ordered by a court to allow Olavarría to present the crown at the 2006 contest.

miss republica dominicana wines

2007-08-08T17:14:00.009-07:00

Miss Dominican Republic Universe Winners
Who ever wins the pageant they would go to Miss Universe
1956 - Olga Fiallo
1962 - Sarah Olimpia Frometa (Miss Congeniality)
1963 - Carmen Benicia Abidaner
1964 - Clara Edilia Chapuseaux
1965 - Clara Herrera
1967 - Jeanette Rey Garcia
1968 - Ana Maria Ortiz
1969 - Rocia Garcia
1970 - Sobeida Fernández
1971 - Sagrario Reyes
1972 - Ivonne Butler
1973 - Lili Fernández
1974 - Jacqueline Cabrera
1975 - Milvia Troncoso
1976 - Norma Lora
1977 - Blanca Aurora Sardiñas (Semi-Finalist)
1978 - Raquel Jacobo
1979 - Viena Elizabeth Garcia
1980 - Milagros Germán
1981 - Fausta Peña
1982 - Soraya Morey
1983 - Alexandra Astwood
1984 - Sumaya Heinsen
1985 - Melba Vicéns Bello
1986 - Lissette Chamorro
1987 - Carmen Rita Perez
1988 - Patricia Jimenez (Semi-Finalist)
1989 - Anny Canaan Camilo
1990 - Rosario Rodriguez
1991 - Melissa Vargas
1992 - Liza Gonzalez
1993 - Odalisse Rodriguez
1994 - Vielka Valenzuela
1995 - Cándida Lara Betances (Semi-Finalist)
1996 - Sandra Abreu
1997 - Cesarina Mejia
1998 - Selines Mendez
1999 - Luz Garcia
2000 - Gilda Jovine
2001 - Claudia Cruz De Los Santos
2002 - Ruth Ocumarez
2003 - Amelia Vega (Miss Universe 2003) (Best National Costume)
2004 - Larissa Del Mar Fiallo
2005 - Renata Soñé (2nd Runner-Up)
2006 - Mía Taveras
2007 - Massiel Indira Taveras Henríquez
2008 - November 29th

susell moralez (reina de bellesa) dominican mother

2007-08-08T17:14:00.008-07:00

Susell Morales); miss curazao 2003 dominican parents

franchesca chillemi (reina de bellesa) dominican mother

2007-08-08T17:14:00.007-07:00

Nel 2003 è stata eletta Miss Italia con il numero 070, ricevendo la corona da Claudia Cardinale. Dopo la vittoria ha iniziato a lavorare in TV, partecipando alla quarta serie di Un medico in famiglia e ad alcune trasmissioni televisive di Raiuno, tra cui I raccomandati, al fianco di Carlo Conti e dell'ex velina Giorgia Palmas, e Italia che vai, con Luca Giurato e Guido Barlozzetti.
Tipica bellezza mediterranea, nel 2004 ha ceduto la fascia e la corona di Miss Italia alla bionda piemontese Cristina Chiabotto, ma ha mantenuto il ruolo di testimonial di "Deborah", mainsponsor del concorso.
Nel 2005 conduce per Raiuno Varietà - Aspettando Miss Italia, Sognando tra le note, Miss Italia: la sfida comincia e partecipa a Sanremo contro Sanremo, condotto da Carlo Conti; inoltre, diventa testimonial del marchio "Miluna".
Nel 2006 entra a far parte, insieme con Walter Nudo e Martina Colombari (Miss Italia 1991), del cast di Carabinieri 6, in onda nel 2007 su Canale 5, dove interpreta Laura Flestero. Nel 2007 è coprotagonista, con il ruolo di Verna, della seconda serie di Gente di mare.

amelia vega (reina de bellesa)

2007-08-08T17:14:00.006-07:00

Victoria Amelia Vega Polanco (born November 7, 1984 in Santiago de los Caballeros, Santiago, Dominican Republic), known simply as Amelia Vega, is a Dominican woman who won the Miss Universe contest held in Panama City, Panama on June 3, 2003, becoming the first Dominican woman ever to win the Miss Universe title, at only age 18.
She had been mentioned by many in the press as one of the favorite candidates to win the crown before the big event.[citation needed]
Amelia's father is a general medical practitioner with offices in New York City and Miami. Her mother, Patricia Polanco, was a previous national titleholder who represented the Dominican Republic at the 1980 Miss World pageant.
Contents[hide]
1 Miss Universe
2 Career
3 Notable TV Guest Appearances
4 Trivia
5 External links
//

[edit] Miss Universe
After winning the Miss Dominican Republic Universe title, Vega represented the Domincan Republic in the Miss Universe 2003 pageant held in Panama. She became the first titleholder from this country to win the title.
Vega was crowned by outgoing titleholder Justine Pasek of Panama. She wore a white evening gown during the competition, which featured strings of beads on the sleeves.
As Miss Universe 2003, Vega traveled extensively working with internationally recognized HIV/AIDS organizations including the Global Health Council, Cable Positive, amfAR, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and God's Love We Deliver. As a celebrity spokesperson, she was responsible for working with the international media to generate a better understanding and acceptance of AIDS/HIV epidemics and its prevention while helping to increase awareness, funding and resources for these key organizations.
After moving to an apartment in New York provided by Donald Trump which as part of her overall prize package as the new Miss Universe titleholder , Amelia visited many countries around the world including: Canada, China, Indonesia, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Thailand, Vietnam and Russia. Amelia returned to her home country several times, and was awarded an honorary medal in the 2003 Pan American Games, held in Santo Domingo. Later that year, Amelia co-hosted the Festival Presidente de Música Latina, a Latin American music concert lasting three days and held every two years in the Dominican Republic.
As Miss Universe, Vega represented the Miss Universe Organization. Her "sister" 2003 titleholders were Tami Farrell (Miss Teen USA, of Oregon) and Susie Castillo (Miss USA, of Massachusetts).

[edit] Career
Amelia has appeared in the cover of several magazines, from her local country's Mujer Unica and Oh! Magazine, up to internationally known Cosmopolitan, Caras, and Vanidades. She also was the lead image for campaigns made by the beauty cosmetics company Cover Girl.
Amelia debuted as a singer during the Miss Dominican Republic 2004 pageant, where she crowned Larimar Fiallo as her national successor. The night of June 1, 2004, Amelia crowned Miss Universe 2004, Jennifer Hawkins from Australia.
After her reign as Miss Universe came to an end, Vega worked temporarally as the host of the reality show Voces de América, that aired on the Telemundo network. Later she hosted "Suegras", a Mexican reality show, however the world of film came calling and Amelia decided to make the jump to the big screen when her screen debut in 2005, co-starring in the film The Lost City directed by Andy Garcia. She will soon appear in Homie Spumoni, a motion picture starring Donald Faison and scheduled to be released in summer 2007.

[edit] Notable TV Guest Appearances
Premios Juventud (July 19, 2007) "Herself"
El Show de Cristina (2007) playing "Herself"
Suegras(TV series) (2007) Host-Herself
Miss Universe Judge, July 23, 2006
Premios Fox Sports 4ta, (2006) (TV) playing "Herself"
Don Francisco Presenta "Herself" April 13, 2005
¡Despierta América! playing "Herself" 12 October 2004
¡Despierta América! playing "Herself" 18 March 2004
Escandalo Tv "Herself" 2004
Premios Juventud 2004 (Acceso Total "Herself"
Premios Juventud 2004Herself"
Premios Juventud (Noche de Estrellas) "Herself"
Don Francisco Presenta "Herself" 16 June 2004
Don Francisco Presenta "Herself" 9 October 2003
Miss Universe "Herself" 2004(Her last day has a Miss Universe)
Cristina 15 Aniversario "Herself" 2004
Late Show with David Letterman "Herself" 8 July 2003
Miss Universe 2003(Pageant) Miss Dominican Republic, Miss Universe 2003 (winner) (winner)

[edit] Trivia

renata soñe (reina de bellesa)

2007-08-08T17:14:00.005-07:00

Renata Soñé is an actress and former beauty queen from the Dominican Republic who has competed at the Miss Universe pageant.
Soñé won the Miss Dominican Republic Universe 2005 title representing the province were the capital is located, Distrito Nacional. She went on to compete in the Miss Universe 2005 pageant held in Bangkok, Thailand, where she finished second runner-up to Natalie Glebova of Canada.
When she was asked about her long term career goals during the pageant's final interview round, she replied
"I want to be a model for international designers and recognized magazines. I am also very anxious to create a children's institute to continue my interests as a psychologist. I also believe that competing in such a prestigious contest as the Miss Universe will help me achieve my goals, because of the important people I will meet and the experience I will gain'. [1].
Her reign as Miss Dominican Republic came to an end on December 18, 2005 when she crowned Mía Taveras López, delegate of Santiago, as her successor.
Prior to winning the national title pageant, Renata graduated with a degree in psychology and had a semi-professional career as a model. She appeared in several Dominican fashion periodicals prior to jump starting her professional modeling and acting careers. Soñé has been the official face of the Pantene shampoo in an advertising campaign in the Dominican Republic. She also made her screen debut in the Dominican film Un Macho de Mujer (2006), which starred Venezuelan television host Daniel Sarcos.

susie castillo (reina de bellesa)

2007-08-08T17:14:00.004-07:00

Jump to: navigation, search
Susie CastilloBeauty pageant titleholder

Birth name:
Susie Cintron Castillo
Birthdate:
January 06, 1980 (1980-01-06) (age 27)
Birth location:
Methuen, Massachusetts, United States
Height:
5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Eye color:
Brown
Hair color:
Brown
Ethnicity:
Dominican and Puerto Rican
Title(s):
Miss Massachusetts Teen USA 1998Miss Massachusetts USA 2003Miss USA 2003
Major Competition(s):
Miss Teen USA 1998Miss USA 2003 (winner)Miss Universe 2003 (Top 15)
Susie Cintron Castillo (born January 6, 1980 in Methuen, Massachusetts), is a beauty queen who has held the Miss USA title and who has competed in the Miss Teen USA and Miss Universe pageants. She is also a presenter on the MTV television show Total Request Live.
Contents[hide]
1 Background
2 Beauty Pageants
2.1 Miss Massachusetts Teen USA
2.2 Miss Massachusetts USA and Miss USA
2.3 Miss Universe
3 After the Crown
4 References
5 See also
6 External links
//

[edit] Background
Castillo's parents were divorced when she was only a child. Her father was Dominican and her mother Puerto Rican. After her father abandoned the family, her mother moved to Lawrence, Massachusetts where she worked multiple jobs in to cover living and educational expenses for her family.[2] She was greatly influenced by her Puerto Rican heritage and in many past interviews she has stated that she considers herself 100% Puerto Rican.[citation needed]
By 1996, at the age of 16, Castillo had already become a professional teen model appearing in many teen magazines and commercial advertisements.
Upon graduating from Methuen High School, she enrolled at Endicott College and in 2001 earned her Bachelors Degree in Interior Architecture and Design. She was awarded the Capstone Award, an honor which was bestowed upon her in recognition of her senior thesis.

[edit] Beauty Pageants

[edit] Miss Massachusetts Teen USA
Castillo won her first pageant title in November 1997 when she beat over forty other contestants to became Miss Massachusetts Teen USA 1998.[3] Castillo's sister titleholder, Miss Massachusetts USA 1998 Shawnae Jebbia went on to win the Miss USA title in February the following year.
Castillo represented her state in the Miss Teen USA pageant held in Shreveport, Louisiana on August 17, 1998. Although the pageant was usually broadcast live, that year's telecast was delayed due to a speech by President Bill Clinton's speech regarding his relationship with Monica Lewinsky.[4]
Castillo placed 13th in the pageant, just three spots away from the top 10.[citation needed] She also won the Clariol Herbal Essence Award that year.[4] The pageant was won by Vanessa Minillo of South Carolina.

[edit] Miss Massachusetts USA and Miss USA
In November 2002, Castillo participated in the Miss Massachusetts USA Pageant held at the Bridgewater State College in the town of Bridgewater and won the title.[5] Castillo was the states first Latina titleholder.[6] She went on to compete in the Miss USA 2003 pageant held in San Antonio, Texas on March 24, 2003.[7] Castillo won the Miss USA title in the nationally televised event, becoming Massachusetts' second titleholder, and the fourth former Miss Teen USA titleholder to win the pageant. She was the first woman with Dominican-Puerto Rican ancestry to win the title.
As Miss USA, Castillo represented the Miss Universe Organization making appearances for charities throughout the United States. Her "sister" 2003 titleholders were Amelia Vega (Miss Universe, of the Dominican Republic) and Tami Farrell (Miss Teen USA, of Oregon).

[edit] Miss Universe
Castillo traveled to Panama City, Panama to compete in the Miss Universe 2003 pageant in May. Her national costume was "Wonder Woman". Castillo placed among the top fifteen semi-finalists but did not make the top ten cut.[8] The pageant was won by Amelia Vega of the Dominican Republic
This was the first time in the history of the Miss Universe pageant that two women of Puerto Rican descent participated at the same time representing different countries. Puerto Rico was represented by Carla Tricoli. Contrary to popular belief, it was not the first time two Dominican women have participated in the Miss Universe pageant simultaneously. In 1997, the pageant had two women of Dominican ancestry participating in the pageant, one representing the Dominican Republic and the other representing Italy (Denny Méndez).

[edit] After the Crown

Castillo has made guest appearances on the following showes: On-Air with Ryan Seacrest (April 5, 2004), My Wife and Kids (October 5, 2004), where she was cast as "Sharon", "Half & Half" (October 18, 2004) cast as "Shaunie".
In August 2005, Castillo co-hosted the Miss Teen USA 2005 pageant alongside Passions actor Galen Gering. The event was won by Allie LaForce of Ohio.
Castillo is now a regular Music Television (MTV) VJ and host of TRL, and helped with the launch of Mi TRL on MTV Tr3s in September 2006. Another TRL host is Vanessa Minillo, who won the Miss Teen USA pageant Castillo competed in in 1998.
During her spare time Castillo does volunteer work for HAWC (Help for Abused Women and Children), the Lawrence Girls Club and for the Latinas Against Sexual Assault.[citation needed]
On Saturday October 7, 2006 Castillo married her fiance, Matthew Leslie in a quiet ceremony in Ipswich, Massachusetts. The two met shortly after Castillo won Miss Massachusetts Teen USA,[9] Leslie proposed to Castillo during an appearance on talk show On-Air With Ryan Seacrest in April 2004, just prior to Castillo passing on her crown during the Miss USA 2004 pageant.[10]
In 2007, Castillo became a spokeswoman for Neutrogena.[11] Castillo's work for Neutrogena includes serving as the "virtual host" of the company's promotional Web site, The Big Blush[1].

[edit] References
^ http://www.myspace.com/susiecastillo
^ Mechling, Lauren. "Miss USA, The Donald, and Me", New York Sun, 2003-04-11.
^ Macdonald, Christine. "Teen Titleholder Reflects New Latino Culture", 1998-01-25, p. 11.
^ a b Associated Press (1998-08-18). South Carolina contestant wins title. Press release.
^ "There She Is", Boston Globe, 2002-12-05.
^ Beard, David. "There He Is, the Boyfriend", Boston Globe, 2003-02-09.
^ Badger, T.A.. "Miss Massachusetts Crowned Miss USA 2003", Associated Press, 2003-03-24.
^ Szaniszlo, Marie. "Lawrence friends: Castillo will always be our beauty queen", Boston Herald, 2003-06-04, p. 3.
^ Schorow, Stephanie. "No contest; Pageant spotlight hasn't eclipsed boyfriend's love for Castillo", 2003-06-03.
^ Nelson, Julia. "PEOPLE // After reign, Miss USA will become a Mrs", The Orange County Register, 2004-04-07, p. 1.
^ Radsken, Jill. "Face time: Methuen beauty queen Castillo to star in Neutrogena TV campaign", 2007-03-14. Retrieved on 2007-03-26.

[edit] See also

denis mendez (reina de bellesa)

2007-08-08T17:14:00.003-07:00

Méndez (born on July 20, 1978 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) was a former beauty queen turned model and actress who once represented Italy in the 1997 Miss Universe pageant.
A native of the Dominican Republic, Méndez relocated to Montecatini, Italy as a very young child with her mother in search of a better life. Many of Méndez's aunts had relocated to Italy and had married Italian citizens, and after divorcing Denny's biological father, she relocated to Italy and married an Italian man whom she met while he was on vacation in the Dominican Republic. [1] Méndez, who had no formal training as a model was studying to become a tourist guide prior to enrolling in the pageant.
Her election as Miss Italia on September 7, 1996 in the Italian town of Salsomaggiore caused a minor scandal throughout that nation. It was the first time that a woman of non-Italian ancestry was elected to represent the country in an international beauty pageant and some xenophobic Italian citizens saw it as a wake-up call for Italy to close its borders to further immigration. Two members of the judging panel were suspended for saying that a black woman could not represent Italian beauty. The news of the first black Miss Italy was carried to millions overseas via the popular African-American periodical, Jet Magazine. The author of the article wrote:
“Denny Méndez . . . born in the Dominican Republic to a naturalized Italian mother and an Italian [step]father, was named Miss Italy after receiving nine million telephone votes from the television audience.” Nine million Italians voted to shatter the prism of race, just by watching a TV beauty pageant and phoning in their votes! Beauty is, indeed, in the eye of the beholder, and the eyes of the world today are quite capable of seeing past skin color. The Italian people’s choice was Denny Méndez, notwithstanding the objections of a pageant official who said, “A black girl can’t be Miss Italy. It’s not in the rules.”[2]
Upon being elected Miss Italia, Méndez responded to the controversy with a brief reply:
""I know I don't represent Italian beauty, but they elected me," she said, "so what am I supposed to do--refuse?"[3]
Surprisingly with all the scandal surrounding her election, Denny was selected as one of the 10 semifinalists in the 1997 Miss Universe contests. Although she did not win the top prize in that pageant (Miss USA Brook Mahealani Lee was the winner of the pageant, which was held in Miami Beach, Florida, USA on May 16, 1997), the publicity from the pageant helped her land modeling jobs among many of Europe's leading fashion houses and magazines.
Today, Méndez is a popular television personality in Italy. She remains very active in the modeling world and has become a budding actress. Besides several theatrical productions, she has guest starred on many Italian sitcoms, dramas, and feature films, she also had a small role in the film Ocean's Twelve starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon. Méndez is fluent in Italian and has working knowledge of both English and Spanish.

claudia cruz (reina de bellesa)

2007-08-08T17:14:00.002-07:00

Claudia Julissa Cruz Rodríguez (born February 5, 1986), commonly referred to as Claudia Cruz represented Dominican Republic in the Miss World pageant in 2004.
After representing Bonao and placing only as a fourth runner-up in the Miss Dominican Republic Universe 2004 pageant (won by Larimar Fiallo), Cruz decided to take another chance at the new revamped and independent Miss Dominican Republic World contest. For the first time ever, the contest would be a reality show, the semifinalists being narrowed down by judges and the finalists and winners based on public vote. Having received 66% of the votes, Miss Cruz was named winner on October 10, 2004 only a month before departure to the contest. Despite the lack of time to prepare herself for the world pageant, she won the title of Continental Queen of the Caribbean and finished as first runner up, being the winner Maria Julia Mantilla from Peru.
Cruz crowned her successor Elisa Abreu De los Santos, on the 10th of July 2005. After stepping off her throne, Cruz is currently preparing to launch her career as a singer.

[edit] Trivia
Claudia Cruz is the first Dominican Beauty Queen to have been elected by public vote. She is also the first Dominican Delegate to ever hold a first runner-up position on the Miss World pageant.
Claudia's sister, Carolina, is a sports reporter and she is married to famous Dominican pitcher Pedro Martínez.

marisela alvarez (reina de bellesa)

2007-08-08T17:14:00.001-07:00

Mariasela Álvarez Lebrón (born c. 1962) won the 1982 Miss World contest, representing the Dominican Republic. She became the first woman from her country to win this title. The pageant was held in London, United Kingdom.
In 1998, she was chosen as one of the best dressed people of the year by Dominican newspaper Clarin. She is presently working as a television producer in her native country.
After several years running "Esta noche Mariasela" on local TV, she moved in 2002 to Spain, where she keeps running a similar show with the same name.

fabio fiallo (poeta)

2007-08-07T16:03:00.001-07:00

Fabio Fiallo (Santo Domingo, 3 de febrero de 1866 - La Habana, 28 de agosto de 1942) es un escritor dominicano destacado en la poesía y narrativa.
Nació en Santo Domingo el 3 de febrero de 1866. Luego de ingresar a la Facultad de Derecho en el Instituto Profesional, abandonó sus estudios para dedicarse a la política y la poesía desde joven.
La comprometida actividad política de Fabio Fiallo limitaba su carrera de poeta. Estuvo preso por defender la nacionalidad dominicana ante la intervención estadounidense de 1916 a 1924. Fue fundador de los periódicos El Hogar (1894), La Bandera Libre (1899), La Campaña (1905) y Las Noticias (1920) y colaborador del Listín Diario y El Lápiz.
La poesía de Fabio Fiallo es muy variada; sin embargo, es conocido principalmente como el poeta del amor por sus versos dedicados a la mujer.
Murió en La Habana, Cuba, el 28 de agosto de 1942. Sus restos fueron trasladados a República Dominicana en 1977 por orden del gobierno que entonces presidía el doctor Joaquín Balaguer.

Obra [editar]
Primera sentimental (1902)
Cuentos frágiles (1908)
Cantaba el ruiseñor (1910)
Canciones de la tarde (1920)
Plan de acción y liberación del pueblo dominicano (1922)
Jurb (1922)
La cita (1924)
Canto a la bandera (1925)
La canción de una vida (1926)
Las manzanas de Mefisto (1934)
El balcón de Psiquis (1935)
Poemas de la niña que esta en el cielo (1935)
Sus mejores versos (1938

salome ureña (poeta)

2007-08-07T15:18:00.030-07:00

Salomé Ureña de Henríquez (October 21, 1850-1897) or better known as Salomé Ureña was a popular poet and pedagogist of Dominican Republic. Born in Santo Domingo to Don Nicolás Ureña de Mendoza and Doña Gregoria Díaz de León in 1850, she is today considered the central figure of lyrical poetry of the XIX century and an innovator of the femine education of her country.

[edit] Biography
Salomé Ureña was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in 1850. She was the daughter of writer Nicolás Ureña de Mendoza and Gregoria Díaz, who gave her daughter her first lessons of education. At an early age Salomé was well influenced by literature. Her father taught her classic works of Spanish and French writers that helped her develop her own career.
She began publishing her first works at the age of seventeen and soon became known for her spontaneity and tenderness. Later on she became more tragic and sad with poems such as "En horas de angustia" (In Hours of Anguish) or very patriotic and strong in poems such as "La Patria" (The Mother country) and "Ruinas" (Ruins). Later on she would include more themes of her life in her poetry, such as "Mi Pedro" (dedicated to her son, perhaps her most tender poem), "La llegada del invierno" (The Arrival of the Winter), and a book that became popular called "Steven", where she talks about her motherland, her children, her husband, the plants and flowers, and the island itself.
At the age of twenty she married Francisco Henríquez y Carvajal, himself a writer, and an important figure in politics. She had four children with him: Francisco, Pedro, Max y Camila Henríquez Ureña. Their children would later become highly respected figures of the mid and late XX century as writers, philosophers, poets, and critics of the arts.
Around 1881 Salomé was encouraged by her husband to open the first center of superior education for young women in Dominican Republic named "Instituto de Señoritas" and within five years the first six female teachers were graduated from the Institute something uncommon at the time.
Salomé Ureña died in 1897 due to complications with tuberculosis. She was 47 years old.

samuel nina ortiz (poeta)

2007-08-07T15:18:00.029-07:00

Samuel Nina Ortiz (b. 1947) is a Dominican writer, best known for his books Quién Pudiera Escribir (from 1991). He has also written El Ensayo de un Ensayista (from 1995) and two unpublished books — Fundamentos de Gramática Aplicada and Isagoge Al Estudio de la Lógica Simbólica.

leopoldo minaya (poeta)

2007-08-07T15:18:00.028-07:00

Leopoldo Minaya (Born November 15, 1963) is a Dominican poet. He is well known as a member of the Generation of 1980 literary movement in the Dominican Republic. He won the 201 Miguel de Cervantes Cultural Association Award that is awarded annually in Barcelona, Spain. His works have been published by various Spanish and Dominican publications. Minaya has a doctorate in Law from the University of Santo Domingo and took graduate studies in urban education at Mercy College in the United States

[edit] Bibliography
This article or section is incomplete and may require expansion and/or cleanup.Please improve the article, or discuss the issue on the talk page.
"oscilacion de Pendulo", 1984
Preeminencia del tiempo, 1993.
Preeminencia del tiempo y otros poemas, 1998.

pedro henriquez ureña (poeta)

2007-08-07T15:18:00.026-07:00

Pedro Henríquez Ureña (1884-1946) was an intellectual, essayist, philosopher, humanist, philologist and literary critic, considered one of the foremost figures of the Dominican literature and leading man of letters in the continent.
Contents[hide]
1 Biography and early works
2 Maturity
3 Major Works
4 External links
//

[edit] Biography and early works
Pedro Henríquez Ureña was born on June 29th, 1884 in Santo Domingo, the third of four siblings. Henríquez's father was Federico Henríquez Carvajal, a doctor and politician who was also an intellectual that maintained permanent contact with the most important representatives of the Hispanic Modernism movements from the early 1900s. Henríquez Carvajal would become president of the Republic for a brief period in 1916, before the American occupation. His mother was the eminent poet and feminist Salomé Ureña. Both played a key role in Pedro's formation and education.
The young Pedro traveled to Mexico in 1906, where he lived until 1913. About these times he wrote in "Hours of study." In these years he also wrote about philosophical criticism, specially the seriousness of the thought. Here he makes his critic to the positivismo, being one of first in the Hispanic America, in his articles "El positivismo de Comte" and "El positivismo independiente".
In 1914, in Cuba, he defines what according to him must be a good critic: a scholar, flexible who knows to locate himself in any point of view. But mainly he must know the spirit of the time and the country who is studying. The critic always will be tributary of the values of the society to which he belongs thus must fight against them. He obtains his flexibility, sometimes without proposing to it.

[edit] Maturity
Between 1915 and 1916 Henríquez Ureña works as a journalist while living in Washington and New York. In this last year he enters the University of Minnesota where he will teach until 1921. No doubt his travels influenced his work and his thinking. His humanism and Americanism -that is, his firm defense on hispanic-american cultural values- made him write a final conference for the Club of International Relations of the University of Minnesota about the "intervencionist policy of the United States in all the Caribbean", since his own nation had been invaded in 1916. In 1921 he travelled to Mexico where his americanismo will acquire a new vigor. Influenced by this atmosphere of enthusiasm towards the culture, he writes his famous article "The utopia of America".
He married Isabel Lombardo Toledano in 1923, sister of the famous union leader Vicente Lombardo Toledano, and of that marriage his daughter Natacha was born in 1924.
He went to La Plata in Argentina to continue with the study of Literature to explain la expresión americana, to try to reach a language that clarify the fundamental object of its investigation, the American continent. America is for Henríquez Ureña somewhat similar to a text that must be explained and nothing better for the interpretation of that text that the study of the totality of its language. The language is the system par excellence, since through it we registered and we organized our perceptions of the outer world. For that reason the differences of the American Spanish, not only took us to the knowledge to a phonetic study of the region but of the geographic area that each dialectal zone describes. Henríquez Ureña with more zeal is dedicated to the linguistic investigation, when in 1930 he moved to Buenos Aires, to exert the position of Secretary in the Institute of Philology that directs Amado Alonso.
For him, linguistic is going to be a form to analyze in a scientific way the power of the American word, its wealth and its evolution in the time. The language was for Henríquez Ureña one of the main instruments that would give rise to a social transformation in the America of the future.

[edit] Major Works
Horas de estudio (1910)
Nacimiento de Dionisios (1916)
En la orilla: mi España (1922)
La utopía de América (1925)
Seis ensayos en busca de nuestra expresión (1928)
La cultura y las letras coloniales en Santo Domingo (1936)
Corrientes Literarias en la América Hispana (1945

junot diaz (poeta)

2007-08-07T15:18:00.025-07:00

Junot Díaz is a contemporary Dominican-American writer whose collection of short stories featured in the book Drown became an overnight literary sensation.
The stories in Drown are: "Ysrael", "Fiesta, 1980", "Aurora", "Drown", "Boyfriend", "Edison, New Jersey", "How to Date a Browngirl, Blackgirl, Whitegirl, or Halfie", "No Face", "Negocios".
Diaz has read twice for NPR's This American Life— "How to Date a Browngirl, Blackgirl, Whitegirl, or Halfie"[1] in 1998 and "Edison, New Jersey"[2] in 1997.
Diaz is the first Dominican-born man to become a major writer in the United States. He moved to the United States with his parents at age six, settling in New Jersey. The New Yorker magazine placed him on a list of the 20 top writers for the 21st century. His work has also appeared in Story, The Paris Review, and in the anthologies Best American Short Stories and African Voices.
Diaz graduated from Cedar Ridge High School in Old Bridge, New Jersey in 1987. He then went on to complete his under-graduate studies at Rutgers University located in New Jersey. He earned his MFA degree from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York in 1995. He is currently a creative writing professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
His first novel, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, a portion of which was once excerpted as a short story in the New Yorker, is slated for release in September of 2007.
Junot Diaz and Nefertiti Jaquez who most recently was a news reporter at WFOR-TV, CBS4 are first cousins.

[edit] Bibliography
Drown (Riverhead, New York, NY, 1997. ISBN 1573220418

hilda contreras (poeta)

2007-08-07T15:18:00.024-07:00

Hilma Contreras (December 8, 1910 - January 15, 2006) was a Dominican writer, born in San Pedro de Macorís. In 2002 she was given the National Literature Award.

[edit] Bibliography
Cuatro cuentos (1953)
Doña Endrina de Catalayud (1953)
El ojo de Dios: cuentos de la clandestinidad (1962)
La tierra está bramando (1986)
Entre dos silencios (1987)
Facetas de la vida (1993)
Obras escogidas (to be published)

aida cartagena porladin (poeta)

2007-08-07T15:18:00.023-07:00

Portalatín (1918-1994) was a prolific poet, fiction writer and essayist. She wrote in Spanish. Some of her work has been translated into English and other languages.
She was born in Moca, Dominican Republic, where she completed her elementary and secondary education. She later moved to the capital of the Dominican Republic where she earned her Doctorate in Humanties at the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo. She did post-graduate studies in Paris.
In her early career, Cartagena Portalatín was part of the "poesía sorprendida" movement in the Dominican Republic.
Cartagena Portalatín stands out as a universal voice that nevertheless speaks from a particular location in the Caribbean that is often overlooked by the world's educated peoples (as evidenced in the lack of inclusion of her work in libraries, reference works, and online sources of literature). Her work was philosophical as well as historical, reflecting a broad worldview, that encompassed themes such as feminism, colonialism, imperialsim, as well as current events contemporary to her times.
One of her most famous poems is "Una mujer está sola," which starts with the lines "Una mujer está sola. Sola con su estatura. Con los ojos abiertos. Con los brazos abiertos. Con el corazón abierto como un silencio ancho." ("A woman is alone. Alone with her stature. With her eyes open. With her arms open. With her heart open like a wide silence.")
In another poem, she refers to the racial politics of the United States through a consideration of a Dominican mother: "de su vientre nacieron siete hijos/ que serían en Dallas, Memphis o Birmingham un problema racial / (ni blancos ni negros)" ("from her womb were born seven children / who would in Dallas, Memphis or Birmingham be a racial problem / (neither white nor black)") (p. 207, Obra poética completa: 1955-1984)
Cartagena Portalatín won the pretigious international literary award the Premio Seix Barral in Barcelona for her novel Escalera para Electra (1969) .
She published another famous poem, Yania Tierra in 1981. Poema Documento (documentary poem), is the subtitle of this book-length poem, which traces the history of the Dominican Republic through the point of view of Yania Tierra, a female personification of the nation.
She also taught at the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo, in the fields of art history, colonial art, and history of civilization.

[edit] Works by Aída Cartagena Portalatín
Vispera del Sueño: Poemas para un Atardecer, La Poesia Sorprendida (Ciudad Trujillo, Dominican Republic), 1944.
Llamale Verde (poems), La Poesia Sorprendida, 1945.
Mi Mundo el Mar (poems), La Isla Necesaria (Ciudad Trujillo), 1955.
Una Mujer Está Sola (poems), La Isla Necesaria, 1955.
La Voz Desatada (poems), Brigadas Dominicanas (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic), 1962.
La Tierra Está Escrita (poems), Brigadas Dominicanas, 1967.
Escalera para Electra (novel), 1969. (2nd edition, Montesinos (Santo Domingo), 1980.)
Narradores dominicanos: antología. Monte Ávila Editores (Caracas), 1969.
Dos técnicas cerámicas indonatillanas, (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic), 1971 or 1972.
Danza, música e instrumentos de los indios de la Española, Museo de Antopologia, Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo, Facultad de Humanidades (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic), 1974.
Tablero: doce cuentos de lo popular a lo culto (stories), Taller (Santo Domingo), 1978.
Yania Tierra, Montesinos, 1981.
En la Casa del Tiempo (poems), Montesinos, 1984.
La Tarde en Que Murio Estefania, Montesinos, 1984.
Las Culturas Africanas: Rebeldes con Causa, Montesinos, 1986.
La mujer en la literatura: homenaje a Aida Cartagena Portalatín. Editora Universal UASD (Santo Domingo), 1986.
From Desolation to Compromise: A Bilingual Anthology of the Poetry of Aida Cartagena Portalatin, Montesinos, 1988.
Vispera del sueño al mundo. Feria del Libro José Martí (Santo domingo), 1995.
Aida Cartagena Portalatin: selección poética, Consejo Nacional de Educación (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic), 2000.
Obra poética completa: 1955-1984, Biblioteca Nacional de la República Dominicana (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic), 2000.

arambilet (poeta)

2007-08-07T15:18:00.022-07:00

Angel Luis Arambilet Alvarez [ARAMBILET] (born September 16, 1957 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) is a writer, screenplayer, painter, graphic artist, filmmaker and systems engineer.
In the Latin American and Caribbean region, he is considered the creator of the first short story (Artes y Letras [Arts & Literature], 1978) and the first graphical poems (combination of text and graphics- Arte y Cibernetica [Art and Cybernetics], 1978) using computerized linetext art or ASCII art, a combined technique that used punched cards, a COBOL compilation process (IBM model 360-115) and high speed printers.
Arambilet is included in the XX century History of Computer Graphics and Art sponsored by ACM SIGGRAPH, presently being compiled by Anna Ursyn from the Department of Visual Arts of the University of Northern Colorado.

[edit] Works
1978 – Short stories trilogy (Artes y Letras)
1993 – The Cayenne's petals (Los pétalos de la cayena, cuentos);Dominican National Literary Prize 1994; ISBN 84-89546-02-9.
1994 – Secret zone (Zona secreta, poemas); ISBN 84-89546-00-2.
1994 – Homo Sapiens; ISBN 84-89546-01-0.
1996 – Quintet (quintento: Cinco historias de las tristes, relatos); ISBN 8489546037
1997 – Insects (Insectos, humor gráfico); ISBN 84-89546-05-3
1999 – Arambilet: Ten years and five series (1989-1999); (Arambilet: Diez años y cinco series, Casa Guayasamín, D.R.)
2000 – The passions book (El libro de las pasiones, poesía); ISBN 99934-0-154-4
2002 – XIX Biennal ELJ (Centro León. Bienal Eduardo León Jimenes). Collective works, D.R.
2002 – Homo Sapiens: Characters to hang (Homo sapiens: Personajes para colgar) Individual exhibition, DPI art gallery, D.R.
2002 – Soul's story (Las historias del alma, guión de TV); ISBN 99934-0-154-4
2002 – Documentary (Miriam Calzada: Montecristi)
2003 – XXII Visual Arts National Biennial (Bienal Nacional de Artes Visuales en el Museo de Arte Moderno, Santo Domingo D.R.)
2003 – Documentary (Marcos Lora Read: Kid Kapicúa. Joan Guaita Art, Mallorca, Spain)
2003 – Digital Videography. Arambilet: Series (1983-2003)
2004 – XX Biennial ELJ (Centro León. Bienal Eduardo León Jimenes). Collective works, D.R.
2005 – Neguri's secret (El secreto de Neguri, novela; Editorial Alfaguara); Dominican National Literary Prize 2005. ISBN 99934-0-154-4
2005 – Documentary (El secreto de Neguri). Includes two short films based on Arambilet's novel, by cinematographers Peyi Guzmán and Esteban Martin.
2005 – XXIII Visual Arts National Biennial (Bienal Nacional de Artes Visuales en el Museo de Arte Moderno, Santo Domingo D.R.)
2006 – The golden manatee mystery (El misterio del manatí de oro; Screenplay); ISBN 9945-00-050-0
2006 – The sword and the cross (La espada y la cruz; Screenplay); ISBN 9945-00-063-2
2006 – Waltz/Vals (Short film. Barlovento CinemArt/24fps) Official selection XXI Biennial ELJ.
2006 – Sepiablue/Sepiazul (Short film. Barlovento CinemArt/24fps)
2006 – Documentary. (In memoriam: Claudia. Barlovento CinemArt/24fps)
2006 – Luck/La suerte (Short film. Barlovento CinemArt/24fps) Official Selection and Award Nominee for Best Foreign Language Film at the San Fernando Valley International Film Festival 2007.
2006 - Group exhibition: Artes/Miniaturas en portada. Viota Gallery, P.R.; Arte Berry, R.D.
2006 – XXI Biennial ELJ (Centro León. Bienal Eduardo León Jimenes); Santiago

julia alvarez (poeta)

2007-08-07T15:18:00.021-07:00

Julia Álvarez (born March 27, 1950) is a poet, novelist, and essayist. Born in New York, her parents returned to their native Dominican Republic when she was three months of age and raised her there until she was ten.
In 1960, the family fled back to the United States, after her father participated in the underground against the military dictator, Rafael Leónidas Trujillo. Three months later the leaders of the underground, the Mirabal sisters, were murdered. She based her second novel, In the Time of the Butterflies, on those murders. It was subsequently made into a film produced by Salma Hayek. She is currently writer-in-residence at Middlebury College and the owner of a coffee farm named Alta Gracia, near Jarabacoa in the mountains of the Dominican Republic. The farm hosts a DREAM school to teach local farmers and their families how to read and write.
Contents[hide]
1 Education
2 Teaching career
3 Grants and honors
4 Bibliography
5 External links
//

Education
Álvarez graduated from Abbot Academy in 1967 and summa cum laude from Middlebury College in 1971, after transferring from Connecticut College, which she attended from 1967 to 1969. She received her Masters in Creative Writing from Syracuse University in 1975.

Teaching career
Alvarez was a poet in the schools for the Kentucky Arts Commission from 1975 to 1977. In that capacity she visited elementary schools, high schools, colleges and communities throughout the state conducting writing workshops and giving readings.
In 1978, she served in the same capacity with senior citizens in Fayetteville, North Carolina, in 1978 under the aegis of the National Endowment for the Arts and the Arts Council of Fayetteville. This project produced an anthology, Old Age Ain't For Sissies. She also conducted workshops in English and Spanish at Mary Williams Elementary School in Wilmington, Delaware sponsored by the Delaware Arts Council and the Wilmington School District. This project produced an anthology, Yo Soy/I Am.
Alvarez taught English and creative writing at California State University, Fresno, College of the Sequoias, Phillips Andover Academy, University of Vermont, George Washington University, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign before coming to Middlebury College as an assistant professor in 1988. She was promoted to full professor in 1996 and resigned her tenured position to write full time in 1998. The college created the position of writer-in-residence for her, where she continues to teach creative writing on a part-time basis, advise Latino students, and serve as an outside reader for creative writing theses by English majors.

Grants and honors
Álvarez has received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Ingram Merrill Foundation. How the García Girls Lost Their Accents was the winner of the 1991 PEN Oakland/Josephine Miles Book Award for works which present a multicultural viewpoint. Some of her poetry manuscripts now have a permanent home in the New York Public Library, where she was featured in an exhibit, “The Hand of the Poet: Original Manuscripts by 100 Masters, From John Donne to Julia Alvarez."

Bibliography
Homecoming (1984) (poetry)
How the García Girls Lost Their Accents (1991) (fiction)
In the Time of the Butterflies (1994) (fiction)
The Other Side (El Otro Lado) (1995) (poetry)
Homecoming:New and Selected Poems (1996) (poetry) a reissue of '84 volume with new poems
¡Yo! (1997) (fiction)
Something to Declare (1998) (collected essays)
Seven Trees (1998) (poetry)
In the Name of Salomé (2000) (fiction)
The Secret Footprints (2001) (fiction)
How Tia Lola Came to visit Stay (2001) (fiction)
A Cafecito Story (2001) (fiction)
Before We Were Free (2002) (fiction)
The Woman I Kept to Myself (2004) (poetry)
finding miracles (2004) (fiction)
Gift of Gracias: The Legend of Altagracia (2004) (children's book)
Saving the World (2006) (fiction

nicolas de jesus lopez rodriguez

2007-08-07T15:18:00.020-07:00

Nicolás de Jesús López Rodríguez (born October 31, 1936 in Barranca, Dominican Republic) is the current archbishop of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He was one of the cardinal electors who participated in the 2005 papal conclave that selected Pope Benedict XVI.

vivian flora fisher

2007-08-07T15:18:00.019-07:00

Vivian Viloria-Fisher, Suffolk County politician (first Dominican-American woman elected in New York State)

roman rodriguez

2007-08-07T15:18:00.018-07:00

Roman Rodriguez, Rockland County, New York politician

rigo rodriguez

2007-08-07T15:18:00.017-07:00

Rigo Rodriguez, Paterson, New Jersey councilman

tilorivas

2007-08-07T15:18:00.016-07:00

Tilo Rivas, Union County, New Jersey Commissioner of Public Affairs and Hudson County, New Jersey politician

diana reyna

2007-08-07T15:18:00.015-07:00

Diana Reyna (1974- ) is currently the New York City Council Member who represents the 34th Council District, which includes Williamsburg and Bushwick as well as Ridgewood in Queens, USA. Council Member Reyna was born and raised in New York City. She attended the Transfiguration School in Williamsburg and Pace University in Pleasantville, New York. She has been a member of the New York City Council since her election in 2001. Reyna was the first woman of Dominican-American background to be elected to a New York City public office.
Contents[hide]
1 Legislative and councilmanic efforts
2 See also
3 External links
4 References
//

[edit] Legislative and councilmanic efforts
Reyna has concentrated her efforts in youth programs, family literacy, and affordable housing.
She has also worked to fight crime and reduce the gang presence.[1]
City Council is considering a bill Reyna has proposed, which, in the opinion of some, will uproot the artistic communities that have rejuvinated formerly desolate neighborhoods such as Williamsburg. The bill proposes to fine and potentially jail anyone involved in an illegally converted industrial building. http://www.nysun.com/article/57487

[edit] See also

juan pichardo

2007-08-07T15:18:00.014-07:00

Juan Pichardo, Rhode Island State Senator (first Dominican-American to be elected State Senator in the United States)

joselin peña melnyk

2007-08-07T15:18:00.013-07:00

Joselin Peña-Melnyk, member of the Maryland General Assembly

miguel martinez

2007-08-07T15:18:00.012-07:00

Miguel Martinez is a member of the New York City Council representing the 10th Council district in Manhattan. The district includes Washington Heights and Inwood.

miguel luna

2007-08-07T15:18:00.011-07:00

Miguel Luna, Councilman for city of Providence, Rhode Island

guillermo linares

2007-08-07T15:18:00.010-07:00

Guillermo Linares, first Dominican-American elected in the United States, former New York City councilman

william lantigua

2007-08-07T15:18:00.009-07:00

William Lantigua, member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives

julio guridy

2007-08-07T15:18:00.008-07:00

Julio Guridy, Allentown, Pennsylvania councilman

adriano espaillat

2007-08-07T15:18:00.007-07:00

Adriano Espaillat was born in the Dominican Republic and emigrated to New York City. In 1996, he became the first Dominican to be elected to the New York State Assembly, representing the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan. This also made him the first Dominican American elected to any state legislature in U.S. history.
Mr. Espaillat rose up the ranks of the New York State Assembly and in 2003 was elected as Chair of the Black, Puerto Rican, and Hispanic Caucus, making him the first Latino Chairman in 20 years. In 2005, Mr. Espaillat announced his candidacy for Manhattan Borough President, to replace C. Virginia Fields, however he was defeated by Assemblyman Scott Stringer.

marcos devers

2007-08-07T15:18:00.006-07:00

Marcos Devers, first Dominican-American to execute the role of mayor in the United States, former acting mayor and councilman of Lawrence, Massachusetts

grace diaz

2007-08-07T15:18:00.005-07:00

Grace Diaz, Rhode Island House of Representatives (first Dominican-American female to be elected to a state legislature in the United States)

antonio guzman fernandez

2007-08-07T15:18:00.004-07:00

Silvestre Antonio Guzmán Fernández (February 12, 1911 – July 4, 1982) was a Dominican business man and a politician. He was the 49th President of the Dominican Republic, from 1978 to 1982.
Contents[hide]
1 Early life
2 First Term
3 How it Ended
4 External links
//

[edit] Early life
Antonio Guzmán was born in the town of La Vega. He studied in the primary and secondary schools of La Vega.
He worked in the fruit exportation business until 1963, when he became Secretary of Agriculture in the government of Juan Bosch. He lost this position when Bosch was overthrown in a coup d'état later in 1963. In May 1966 he was the vice-presidential candidate for the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD), with Bosch as the candidate for president. The elections were won, however, by Joaquín Balaguer.

[edit] First Term
The PRD won the election in 1978, beating incumbent Balaguer, who had been president for 12 years. Antonio Guzmán occupied the presidency and Jacobo Majluta Azar the vice-presidency.
Guzmán's political plan was to move slowly to reform the social and economic aspects of the Dominican Republic, while he tried to have direct contact with the armed forces because of their threat concerning pressure in the political field. To directly attack the last problem, he implemented a program that reassigned or even removed officers who were skeptical of his plans and also promoted younger officers who stood behind Guzmán. This new program also called for an institution for more formal training for officers and personnel that enlisted in the armed forces. This program proved to be a great success, and it was a major part of the legacy Guzmán left behind.
Politically though, there was not a lot Guzmán could do because he was restrained to some extent since the majority of Congress consisted of the other main party—which gave them benefits when it came to vetoing the different reforms Guzmán wished to launch. Since Guzmán was a wealthy cattle rancher—he knew how to implement well-mapped economic policies. He also helped make the nation’s public transportation system better and increased minimum wage. But even though Guzmán made many reforms that were beneficial to the country, he was still criticized for not responding to the economic decline. One big event that made the criticisms even stronger was Hurricane David that hit in 1979, which slowed the economy even more.

[edit] How it Ended
Guzmán committed suicide by a gunshot wound to his head on July 4, 1982, while still in office. Why he did so remains the subject of debate, and many Dominicans believe he was assassinated. It is widely believed that he took his life because of the allegations of corruption hanging over his administration, although not Guzmán himself. Jacobo Majluta, the vice president, took over as acting president for the remaining month of Guzmán's term.
Basically, Guzmán’s administration symbolized a bridge that crossed over from Trujillo’s dictatorship to a more liberal style of government. Although throughout his presidency, Guzmán hoped to have a peaceful transfer of power between fairly elected presidents, his suicide actually prevented this from happening, since it sparked much debate

peña gomez

2007-08-07T15:18:00.003-07:00

Francisco Peña Gómez (1937-1998) was the leader of the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD), a three-time candidate for president of the Dominican Republic and former Mayor of Santo Domingo. He is considered, along with Joaquín Balaguer and Juan Bosch, as one of the most prominent Dominican political figures of the 20th century.

Dr. José Francisco Peña Gómez
Contents[hide]
1 Early Life
2 The April Civil War and Exile
3 Leadership of the P.R.D.
4 Last years
5 See also
//

[edit] Early Life
Born to poor immigrants from Haiti on March 6, 1937 in Mao, Valverde, Dominican Republic, Peña Gómez was adopted as an infant by a Dominican peasant family when his parents were forced to flee to Haiti as the Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo unleashed the small holocaust against Haitians that same year. The family raised Peña Gómez as their own child, and gave him their name. In one of the ironies that marked his public life and illustrated his appeal to the poor, Peña Gomez's running mate in 1994 turned out to be none other than Fernando Alvarez Bogaert, scion of the family that owned the ranch where he was raised.
As a result of his upbringing, Peña Gomez relied on his voracious intellectual appetite to supplement a tenuous early education. At 8, he worked in a grocery store and at a bar, and by the time he was a teenager, he had taken jobs as a shoemaker's and a barber's apprentice.
At 15, he became an instructor in a literacy program for poor children in his native province and later worked as a teacher in rural and night schools. By 1960, he had moved to Santo Domingo, where he enrolled in a broadcasting course and proved so natural a talent that a radio station quickly hired him to announce baseball games and other sports events.
Peña Gómez received a doctorate at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD) in 1966 before going on to higher studies at the Sorbonne in Paris.

[edit] The April Civil War and Exile
Since 1961, Peña Gómez became a supporter of Juan Bosch, then leader of the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD). Bosch won the presidential elections of 1962, the first democratic president in 32 years, but his government was ousted in a military coup on September 25, 1963. In 1965, Peña rose to political prominence as he went on Radio Santo Domingo and called for a popular insurrection against the military coup and a return of Bosch. U. S. President Lyndon Johnson ordered a military invasion to prevent what he feared was a possible communist movement within the country. However, Peña Gómez used used his oratorical skills to the streets and the airwaves to head the opposition to that intervention. At the end, a forced negotiation led to Joaquin Balaguer's becoming president and the PRD's being cast into the political wilderness for the next 12 years. Repression was intense throughout that period.
Taking refuge in France, Peña Gómez studied political science and constitutional and labor law for two years at the University of Paris. Earlier, he had studied political science in courses at Harvard University and Michigan State University. In exile, he also was involved in efforts to obtain international condemnation of human rights violations in the Dominican Republic, forging relationships with groups that were important for the rest of his life.

[edit] Leadership of the P.R.D.
Prior to 1973, Juan Bosch and Peña Gómez had a falling out that resulted in Bosch's breaking with the party that he had founded and setting up a new one. In December, Bosch left to form the Dominican Liberation Party (P.L.D.). Under Peña's leadership, the P.R.D. won the presidential election in 1978 (Antonio Guzmán) and 1982 (Salvador Jorge Blanco), and he himself was Mayor of Santo Domingo from 1982 to 1986. This position automatically made him a strong contender for the presidency. But his party passed him by in 1986, with some of its leaders arguing that it would be impossible for a black man, especially one of Haitian descent, to become president. Thus, some argue that he did not support the PRD candidate Jacobo Majluta, when fraud allegations were made against Joaquín Balaguer, who returned to power against all odds.
In 1990, he won the nomination. With a severly weakened party, Peña ran for the presidency, coming in third behind Balaguer of the Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC) and Bosch of the PLD.
By 1994, the PRD was as strong as ever. The presidential campaign was violent and dirty, and Peña lost to Balaguer in an extremely tight election marred by strong irregularities and fraud. Peña called a general strike which was widely supported by his followers and after international protest and intense negotiations, Balaguer announced that he would leave office prematurely in 1996 after serving seven terms in power.
In the 1996 poll, Peña won the first round of voting but fell short of the majority needed. In the second round of voting, Leonel Fernández, a lawyer representing the PLD, won a narrow victory due to an alliance between the PLD and the PRSC.

[edit] Last years
Peña first bout with pancreatic cancer followed soon after 1994. But the disease went into remission after treatment in the United States. Shortly thereafter, the cancer reappeared, and Peña Gómez spent most of the rest of his life shuttling back and forth between Santo Domingo and New York, where he underwent medical treatment. He finally passed away on May 10, 1998 in Cambita Garabitos, San Cristóbal, 10 days before the mayoral elections of Santo Domingo, in which he was running. Surviving are his wife, Peggy Cabral, and eight children and stepchildren.
Peña Gómez was the most popular leader in recent political history in Dominican Republic, and most beloved especially by the poor masses. At the time of his death, with his admirers converging on Santo Domingo from all corners of the country, the Dominican government had to agree that his body would be displayed at the national baseball stadium to accommodate the huge crowds that were expected.

alberto camaño deño

2007-08-07T15:18:00.002-07:00

Col. Francisco Alberto Caamaño Deñó [Cah-MAH-nyoh Deh-NYOH] (b. 11 June 1932 – d. 16 February 1973) was a Dominican soldier and politician.
His entry into history books came during the Dominican Republic Civil War that began on April 24, 1965. He was one of the leaders in the movement to restore the democratically elected President Dr. Juan Bosch, who had been overthrown in a CIA sponsored military coup d'état in September, 1963. This faction of loyalists came to be known as the Constitucionalistas, for their desire to return to a rightful and constitutional form of government, as opposed to the military junta that was in place.
As the Constitucionalistas successfully seized and held Santo Domingo over the initial days of the uprising, U.S. President Lyndon Johnson ordered an invasion by the U.S. military, dubbed as Operation Power Pack, with the pretext that the lives of American citizens there needed to be protected. A factor that was arguably more involved in the decision was the fear that the Constitucionalistas would bring about a communist regime in the country, and this risk of "another Cuba" was something that would not be allowed.
During this period, Caamaño was de facto and, arguably, de jure, President of the Dominican Republic. After a few months of brave fighting by the Constucionalistas, who were outnumbered and outgunned by the foreign forces, Caamaño and his men consented to a reconciliation agreement and thus ended the Consitucionalista government.
Facing ongoing threats and attacks during the following months, including a particularly violent attack at the Hotel Matum in Santiago, Camaaño fled the Dominican Republic for England and, ultimately, Cuba.
During the Winter of 1973, after several years staying low-profile, Caamaño led the landing of a small group of rebels at Playa Caracoles, near Azua and then into the mountains of the Cordillera Central, with the purpose of starting a peasant revolution to overthrow Dominican President Joaquín Balaguer. Balaguer's government was repressive and highly centralized during this period, reminding many of the Rafael Trujillo regime in which Balaguer been one of the dictator's puppet presidents and close advisors. After a few weeks of guerrilla war against Balaguer's regular army and not having received the much hoped-for peasant support, he was wounded and captured by Dominican government forces, and then executed.
Some twenty years passed before Caamaño was officially honored by the Dominican government as a hero for his attempts to restore rightful government to his country. Today, there is an avenue in Santo Domingo that bears the name Presidente Caamaño (the avenue borders the western bank of the Ozama River harbor, near its outlet to the Caribbean sea).
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francisco_CaamaÃ±o"

juan bosch

2007-08-07T15:18:00.001-07:00

Juan Emilio Bosch Gaviño (30 June 1909, La Vega – 1 November 2001, Santo Domingo) was a politician, historian, short story writer, essayist, educator, and the first democratically elected president of the Dominican Republic after the assassination of dictator Rafael Trujillo in 1961. As founder of the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD) in 1939, he became the leader of Dominican exiles during Trujillo's regime. To this day he is remembered as an honest politician and regarded as one of the most prominent writers in Dominican literature.
Contents[hide]
1 Beginnings
2 A Long Exile
3 Presidency and Opposition
4 Death and Legacy
5 Bibliography
6 External links
//

[edit] Beginnings
Juan Bosch was born in the town of La Vega, Dominican Republic. His parents were Catalan Juan Bosch and Puerto Rican Angela Gaviño. He lived the first years of his childhood in a small rural community called Río Verde, where he began his primary studies; he attended high school in La Vega. In his youth he went to Santo Domingo and worked in commercial stores. Later he traveled to Spain, Venezuela and some of the Caribbean islands.
He returned in 1931, and published his first short stories book,"Camino Real", the essay "Indios" and the short novel"La Mañosa," about the civil wars in the nineteenth century, which was acclaimed by critics. He created and edited the literary section in the newspaper Listín Diario, becoming a critic and essayist.
In 1934 he married Isabel García, and had two children with her: Leon and Carolina. As Trujillo's dictatorship was getting stronger and meaner, Bosch was jailed for his political ideas, being released after several months. In 1938, knowing that the tyrant wanted to buy him with a position in the Congress, Bosch managed to leave the country, settling in Puerto Rico.

[edit] A Long Exile
By 1939 Bosch had gone to Cuba, where he directed an edition of the completed works of Eugenio María de Hostos, something that defined his patriotic and humanist ideals. In July, with other Dominican expatriates, he founded the Partido Revolucionario Dominicano (PRD), which stood out as the most active front against Trujillo outside the Dominican Republic.
Bosch heavily sympathised with leftist ideas, but he always denied any communist affiliation. He collaborated with the Cuban Revolutionary Party and had an outstanding role in the making of the Constitution that was promulgated in 1940.
Married for the second time with Cuban lady Carmen Quidiello, he had two more offsprings, Patricio and Barbara. At the same time, his literary career was ascending, gaining important acknowledgments like the Hernandez Catá Prize in Havana for short stories written by a Latin American author. His works had a deep social content, among them "La Noche Buena de Encarnación Mendoza", "Luis Pié", "The Masters" and "The Indian Manuel Sicuri", all of them described by critics as masterpieces of the sort.
Bosch was one of the main organizers of the 1949 military conspiracy that landed in Cayo Confites in the Dominican Republic, to overthrow the dictatorship of Trujillo. However, the expedition failed, and Bosch fled to Venezuela, continuing his anti-Trujillo campaign. In Cuba, where he returned by requirement of his friends in the Authentic Revolutionary Party, he played a notorious part in the political life of Havana, being recognized as a promoter of social legislation and author of the speech pronounced by President Carlos Prío Socarrás when the body of José Martí was transferred to Santiago of Cuba.
When Fulgencio Batista led a coup d'etat against Prío and took over the presidency in 1952, Bosch was jailed by Batista's forces. After being liberated, he left Cuba and headed to Costa Rica, where he dedicated his time to pedagogical tasks, and to his activities as leader of the PRD.
In 1959 took place the Cuban Revolution led by Fidel Castro, who motorized a political, economic, and social upheaval in the Caribbean island. Bosch accurately perceived the process that had begun from those events, and wrote a letter to Trujillo, dated February 27, 1961. He told Trujillo that his political role, in historical terms, had concluded in the Dominican Republic.

[edit] Presidency and Opposition
After 23 years in exile, Juan Bosch returned to his homeland when Trujillo was assassinated on May 30, 1961. His presence in the national political life, as the Dominican Revolutionary Party presidential candidate, was a fresh change for the Dominicans. His manner of speaking, direct and simple, specially when addressing the lowest classes, appealed the farmers as much as the people from the cities. Immediately he was accused by the Church and by the conservatives of communist, but in the electoral match of December 20, 1962 Bosch obtained a sweeping triumph over his main oppositor Viriato Fiallo of the National Civic Union. On February 27, 1963, Juan Bosch and Armando González Tamayo took possession as the new President and Vicepresident of the Dominican Republic, in a ceremony that was attended by important democratic leaders and personalities, like Luis Muñoz and José Figueres.
During his Presidency, Bosch concentrated in a deep, political, economic and social restructuring of the State. He was of unquestionable administrative honesty and highly progressive ideas, maybe too much for a nation that just had come out from a brutal tyranny of 31 years. On April 29, he promulgated a new Constitution, extremely advanced even for Latin America, which for the first time declared specific labour rights, and mentioned unions, pregnant women, homeless people, the family, rights for the child and the young, for the farmers, and for illegitimate children.
The dirty campaign that had begun earlier, was increased by the military and stimulated by the U. S., and Bosch was overthrown in a coup led by the infamous Colonel Elías Wessin, on September 25, 1963. The military-imposed government was a Triumvirate conformed by Emilio de los Santos, Ramon Tapia and Manuel Tavares. The Constitution was declared "non-existent" and Bosch went back to exile in Puerto Rico.
Less than two years later, the dissatisfaction generated another military rise on April 24, 1965, that demanded the restore of the constitutionally elected Bosch. The insurgents, commanded by Colonel Francisco Caamaño, removed the Triumvirate from power but on April 28, the United States intervened in the civil war and dispatched 42,000 troops to the island in Operation Powerpack, just as Caamaño (the leader of the Constitutionalists) said "war would be already over if the U.S. had not intervened." President Lyndon B. Johnson justified the invasion based on his belief that the PRD was filled with communists. An interim government was imposed, and elections were fixed for July 1, 1966. Bosch was defeated by Joaquín Balaguer of the Reformist Party (now PRSC), who garnered 57% of the vote. Balaguer's candidacy was bolstered by fear of resurgent violence should Bosch win, as well as support from the powerful remains of the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo (of which Balaguer was former member), conservative sectors including peasants, religious women, and businessmen.
Some people speculate that Bosch really didn't want the Presidency, and he preferred to stay in Puerto Rico, even when his supporters insisted on his return. Certainly, during this period he was very productive and published some of his most important historical works and essays: "Dominican Social Composition", "Brief History of the Oligarchy in Santo Domingo", "From Christopher Columbus to Fidel Castro", and numerous articles of different sorts.
Besides, he didn't return to the Dominican Republic but until April of 1970. He had the intention of reorganizing the PRD, and turning its members into active, studious militants of the historical and social reality of the country. His project was not accepted by most of the PRD. The differences and contradictions between Bosch and an important sector of that party, as well as the corruption that had started to grow within the PRD, made him leave the organization in 1973, and thus he founded the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) on December 15 of that same year.
Later he ran unsuccessfully for president as the PLD candidate in 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, and 1994, although it should be noted that in 1990 there were serious allegations of fraud against then President and candidate Joaquín Balaguer, who would continue in power for six more years.
After placing third in the 1994 election, the 83 years-old Bosch retired from politics. Already he was suffering of Alzheimer's, and in 1996 he was practically carried to the consolidation of the Patriotic Front, an alliance between the PLD and his lifelong opponent Balaguer, as part of the latter's plan to defeat the PRD in the next presidential election.

[edit] Death and Legacy
Juan Bosch -Don Juan- passed away on November 1st, 2001, in Santo Domingo. As a former President, he received the corresponding honors at the National Palace, and was buried in his hometown of La Vega.
To this day, he is remembered as true honest politician. Over the years, as his luck rose and fell, his political direction oscillated wildly. He described himself as a "non-Communist" and a friend of Fidel Castro, and he told an interviewer in 1988 that he never had been Marxist." It is important to note that Bosch also recieved much opposition from the United States Government through out his Presidency. Specifically from Lyndon B. Johnson and the CIA. The US feared loosing control of its capital investments and was succesfull in invading the island, slaughtering its people and riging a dictatorship as it had done in the past with former President Trujillo. Who the CIA also executed in 1961.
The contributions of Professor Bosch to literature through his narratives, novels and essays made him a teacher of several generations of writers, short-story writers, novelists, journalists and historians. At one point, Gabriel García Márquez once said that Bosch had been one of his greatest influences.
His legacy in politics is more than relevant: his ideals and ideas, while mostly forgotten by his followers, remain powerful principles in public administration. Many believe the Dominican Republic would have flourished independant of the US had Bosch been able to fend of the the CIA and the Johnson Administration.

[edit] Bibliography
Short stories:
Camino Real
Cuentos escritos antes del exilio
Cuentos escritos en el exilio
Más cuentos escritos en el exilio
Novels:
La mañosa
El oro y la paz
Essays:
Hostos, el sembrador
Cuba, la isla fascinante
Judas Iscariote, el calumniado
Apuntes sobre el arte de escribir cuentos
Trujillo: causas de una tiranía sin ejemplo
Simón Bolívar: biografía para escolares
David, biografía de un Rey
Crisis de la democracia de América
Bolívar y la guerra social
Pentagonismo, sustituto del imperialismo
Dictadura con respaldo popular
De Cristóbal Colón a Fidel Castro
Breve historia de la oligarquía en Santo Domingo
Composición social dominicana
La revolución haitiana
De México a Kampuchea
La guerra de la Restauración en Santo Domingo
Capitalismo, democracia y liberación nacional
La fortuna de Trujillo
La pequeña burguesía en la historia de la Repúblia Dominicana
Capitalismo tardío en la República Dominicana
El Estado, sus orígenes y desarrollo
Pócker de espanto en el Caribe
El PLD, un nuevo partido en América
Breve historia de los pueblos árabes

joaquin balaguer

2007-08-07T15:18:00.000-07:00

Joaquín Amparo Balaguer Ricardo (September 1, 1906 – July 14, 2002) was the President of the Dominican Republic from 1960 to 1962, from 1966 to 1978, and again from 1986 to 1996. An unlikely strongman, he had been a protégé of Rafael Leonidas Trujillo, and, though frequently accused of election fraud and of intimidating would-be opponents, he was considered one of the craftiest politicians and leading figure in the history of his country.
Contents[hide]
1 Early life and introduction to politics
2 First presidency and its aftermath
3 The "12 Years" (1966-1978)
4 The defeat and his return to power
5 Ten more years: 1986-1996
6 Death and Legacy
7 Recognized as an environmentalist
8 Personal life
9 Bibliography
10 External links
//

[edit] Early life and introduction to politics
Balaguer was born in Villa Bisono (today known as Navarrete), a small town in northern Dominican Republic. His father was Joaquín Balaguer Lespier, a Catalan born in Puerto Rico, and his mother was Carmen Celia Ricardo, daughter of Manuel de Jesus Ricardo and Rosa Amelia Heureaux. He was the only son in a family of several daughters.
Since he was a child, Balaguer felt attraction by literature. He composed verses that were published in local magazines even when he was very young. He was also involved in politics because of the American military occupation (1916-24), and after graduating from school, Balaguer earned a law degree from the University of Santo Domingo and a Ph.D. from the Sorbonne. As a youth, Balaguer wrote of the awe with which he was struck by his father's fellow countryman, the Harvard graduate and political leader from Puerto Rico, Pedro Alibizu Campos. Despite the profound differences regarding their ethical and world visions, Albizu Campos' fiery and charismatic rhetoric captured Balaguer's imagination and his recollection of this occasion was a testament to the harbinger of his passion for politics and intellectual debate.
Since 1930, Doctor Joaquín Balaguer held numerous positions in the public burocracy: he was Attorney in the Court of Properties (1930), Secretary of the Dominican Legation in Madrid (1932-1935), Undersecretary of the Presidency (1936), Undersecretary of Foreign Relations (1937), Extraordinary Ambassador to Colombia and Ecuador (1940-43 and 1943-47), Ambassador to Mexico (1947-49), Secretary of Education (1949-55), Secretary of State of Foreign Relations (1955-57), and vice-president of the Republic (1957-1960).
Much has been discussed about Balaguer's role during the Era of Trujillo, especially the relationship between the diminutive and soft-spoken scholar, and the boisterous Generalissimo. Sometimes, he was overlooked just as a mere employee; others distinguished him as a close counselor of Trujillo. It is known that the tyrant enjoyed to humiliate and to insult his servants in public, and the dictator had a special way to treat each and everyone. However, Trujillo never tried to degrade Balaguer nor to play practical jokes on him.
Balaguer corresponded spending those three decades as one of the most efficient public aides of the dictatorship, without seeming perturbed or showing the smaller gesture of disgust for the excesses and aberrations that were common at the time. Balaguer was, without a doubt, an useful minister of Trujillo, although it is not entirely possible to speak of total loyalty.

[edit] First presidency and its aftermath
When Trujillo arranged to have his brother Héctor Trujillo re-elected to the presidency in 1957, he chose Balaguer as vice-president. Three years later, when pressure from the Organization of American States convinced the dictator that it was inappropriate to have a member of his family as president, Trujillo forced his brother to resign, and Balaguer succeeded to the post.
So, Balaguer became another puppet president of Trujillo, but at the time of his assassination in 1961, doctor Balaguer was able to outmaneuver more imposing rivals during the turmoil that followed the night of May 30, and became a force in his own right - a feat of political skill captured by Mario Vargas Llosa in his historical novel The Feast of the Goat.
However, things went from bad to worse. Pressed by the right wing, the military and by leftist oppositors, Balaguer was booed and insulted in the streets. Wishing to give true samples of democracy within the country, he traveled to New York to pronounce a speech before the forum of the United Nations, on October 2, 1961.
Trujillo's family had left the Republic (after Ramfis killed Trujillo's assassins). Due to the pressure exerted by the National Civic Union, a Council of State was created, and Balaguer only retained power until January 16, 1962. A military coup d'etat, led by air force chief Rodríguez Echaverría, forced him into exile in New York and Puerto Rico. During those years the Dominican Republic had only seven months of true democracy, under the presidency of Juan Bosch. When a military coup overthrew Bosch, the country began a tumultuos period which resulted in the civil war of April 24, 1965. Military officers had revolted against the provisional Junta to restore Bosch, whereupon U.S. President Lyndon Johnson sent 42,000 U.S. troops to defeat the revolt in the Operation Power Pack, on April 28.
The provisional government, headed by Héctor García-Godoy, announced general elections to be celebrated in 1966. Balaguer seized his chance, and using his mother's illness as an excuse, asked permission to return from exile, which was granted. Therefore, soon he became the presidential candidate backed by the U. S. and the Dominican establishment. In a country military and politically controlled by the American forces, his Reformist Party easily won the elections, defeating a weakened Juan Bosch, and thus Balaguer inaugurated his new presidency thanks to Washington.

[edit] The "12 Years" (1966-1978)
Balaguer found a nation severely beaten by decades of turbulence, with few short times of peace, and virtually ignorant of democracy and human rights. He sought to pacify the enmities surviving from the Trujillo regime and from the 1965 civil war, but political murders continued to be frequent during his administration. He succeeded in partially rehabilitating the public finances, which were in a chaotic state, and pushed through a modest program of economic development.
During his years as President, Balaguer ordered the construction of schools, hospitals, dams, roads, and many important buildings. No doubt he made an important contribution, but at the same time he neglected (even intentionally) the people's education and public health.
Already blind and not charismatic in the traditional manner, Balaguer nonetheless fully achieved the personality cult of a typical caudillo. In 1973, he oversaw the military defeat of a guerrilla invasion by Dominican expatriates led by former National Guard Colonel and now National Hero Francisco A. Caamaño Deñó. Later, Caamaño was shot to death.
His regime was characterized by the constant abuses of civilians. Balaguer promoted a sense of deep corruption within the beaurocracy, and destroyed the little institutionality that was left, including the independence of Legislative and Judiciary Powers. He even claimed that "corruption stops right in front of my office's door", implicitly denouncing the filth of his government, but doing nothing to stop it.
Thus, the skilled leader perpetuated himself in power with electoral farces in 1970 and 1974. The political opposition could not even participate, alleging fraudulent conditions which were dismissed by Balaguer. Through machiavellian methods, he controlled justice completely, and politically orchestrated the Armed Forces and the Police, as well as the electoral system, the public comptroller, and the National Congress. He did not share the power with anybody, not even with his party, nor he allowed not one of his "compatriotas" to create their own political projects.
The violent regime continued with confrontations between the government forces and left-wing extremists, or the students in the University of Santo Domingo, which were more than frequent. It was usual the surge of paramilitary groups and factions within the army, at times stimulated by the presidency itself.
Balaguer always practiced a certain tolerance towards his most ardent opponents, but he was determined to behead the progressive, free-thinking generation of young Dominicans that did not follow his path. With the help of the CIA and the "uncontrollable forces", as he called his own hunting dogs, many people were exterminated in and out of the country, mostly for political reasons. It is important to say that this was a period in the Dominican history that has to be evaluated with measurement. Those were times of high political unrest, where leftist groups began an unprecedented practice of kidnappings and terrorist tactics in Santo Domingo.
Perhaps the most outspoken and coherent of Balaguer's critics was Orlando Martínez Howley, a young journalist who was the director of the magazine Ahora!. His constant attacks to the regime and the figure of Balaguer were significant, and sometimes scathing, but never gratuitous. His last article is specially memorable.
In 1975, the government had ordered an impediment of entrance to painter Silvano Lora, a close friend of Martínez Howley. Clearly upset by this abuse, Martínez published an unyielding article on February 25, 1975, in which he plainly asked Balaguer to leave the country:
Why not, Doctor Balaguer?
Mr. President of the Republic, since you prevent that an artist of the prestige and the moral quality like that of Silvano Lora can live in his own country, since leaving Dominicans abroad pleases you or produces political gains, I am going to give you some recommendations. I hope that mainly you meditate the last one.
Since you have said that in this government, and seems to be true, the corruption only stops in the door of your office, why don't you remove from the Dominican Republic all those corrupt people?
As here exists a galloping inflation of delinquents without [military] uniforms and, according to you, also uniformed, why don't you order the calieses of the regime to catch them and put them in an airplane? Why don't you say to the janissary that serve in the airport to catch not those who bring marijuana cigarettes, but the big fishes of the drug traffic?
Why don't you send to exile those who receive commissions for negotiating contracts that give out our wealth to the multinational companies? Why don't you install in a boat the richest estate owners, those who want this country in a permanent underdevelopment and the situation of collective misery that accompanies it?
Why don't you enter in that same boat those who in the cities are the ideological support of those landowners? And also, those who are the armed support, those that beat, jail and torture poor farmers who fight for their rights.
As you are a good pal of the Americans, why don't you ask them for an aircraft carrier to send away to whichever place the numerous calieses that benefit from the work of the people?
In case that your friendship with the United States is closer than we suspect, why don't you request to the Pentagon the latest rocket with the scientific objective of creating a colony of calieses on the moon?
Why don't you make disappear from the sight of the honest Dominicans, which is the majority, all that lazy people that in this government receive money without working? Why don't you, take into account, deposit in a comfortable seat of first class, those civil employees who think of themselves as modern Fouché, and, when it's time to assume responsibilities, they never show their faces?
And my final recommendation: If it is inevitable that this situation continues, if it is impossible to avoid immoral and miserable acts like that in which I was present on Sunday in the airport, why doctor Balaguer, don't you decide to go in the airplane or in the boat and disappear definitively from this country, next to all previously mentioned?
On March 17, Martínez was ambushed and shot to death in a street of Santo Domingo, near the University. His mother, Ms. Adriana Howley, maintained for more than twenty years the accusation against Balaguer, as intellectual author of the crime, and against several of his former strong men, like Enrique Perez Perez, Ramon Emilio Jiménez, Salvador Lluberes, Joaquín Pou Castro, Freddy Lluberes and Felix Manuel Vargas.
Balaguer even had the impudence of infamously leaving a "Blank Page" in his Memoirs, where he wrote the following about Orlando Martínez's death:
"This page is inserted in blank. During many years, it will remain silent, but one day it will speak, so that its voice will be gathered by history. Still, as a tomb whose secret will rise, accusing, when time allows to raise the slab under which the truth remains lying. Its content is left in the hands of a friend who for age reasons is supposed to survive me and that have been ordered by me to make it public some years after my death."
Evidently, the Justice never prosecuted Balaguer, not even with such declaration.

[edit] The defeat and his return to power
By 1978, Balaguer wanted a new period as President, but the Dominican Revolutionary Party, the international community and the people itself, were impatient for a change. The atmosphere was indeed tense, but the seemingly unperturbable Balaguer didn't care. His antidemocratic convictions were so firm that even so when he was practically forced to lose the elections, as certainly had happened, he managed to keep control over the Congress with illegal actions. During the transitional period, it never occurred to him to amnesty the political prisoners, knowing that his successor, Antonio Guzmán would have to do it anyway.
In his 12 years there were so many crimes and persecutions that the country had lived almost in the dictatorship. The fundamental difference was the freedom of press sustained in some journalistic media. Even for national leaders like Juan Bosch and Jose F. Peña Gómez it was prohibited to use the radio and television. The liberties of meeting, manifestation, transit, political and union organization, were severely limited.
With Antonio Guzmán, a new period began. Political prisoners (who Balaguer called sarcastically "imprisoned politicians") were amnistied, as were the dissidents who were in exile. The Army was freed (if not entirely) of politics, and the Balaguerist military was retired. Guzmán tried to fulfill the people's wishes for a better government, and indeed his administration marked a great step for human rights and personal freedoms, but the corruption within his party and his administration sank the economy and the finance.
In the 1982 elections, PRD's Salvador Jorge Blanco defeated Balaguer, now candidate of the Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC). The economic difficulties continued, as did the internal conflicts in the Dominican Revolutionary Party.
When the government shipwrecked because of the ambitions and the divisions among their main members, with many of their leaders corrupted, Balaguer was vindicated and his return was inminent. The official candidate, Jacobo Majluta, did not have the full support of the PRD, and lost against Balaguer in the general elections of 1986. Nevertheless, serious fraud accusations were made.

[edit] Ten more years: 1986-1996
Joaquín Balaguer, now 80 years old, would demonstrate great capacity of adaptation to the new times. His second government was very different from the first three terms.
When Balaguer reassumed the presidency, there was more respect for political liberties and human rights. But the electoral manipulation resurged with force, expressing itself in the elections of 1990 and 1994 with scandalous frauds that created strong political crises. The corruption was multiplied and destroyed almost every public state industry or institution even the National Lottery in two occasions.
Labor unrest, violent anti-government protests, and calls for Balaguer's resignation followed his 1990 highly questioned victory against Juan Bosch, when food and fuel shortages plagued the country, and Balaguer initiated a program of tight economic controls in an effort to limit inflation and reduce the government deficit.
However, he continued with massive infrastructure projects, such as the construction of highways, bridges, schools, housing projects and hospitals. Following the style of Trujillo, these highly visible projects were very publicized over government-controlled media and through grandiose public ceremonies designed to enhance Balaguer's popularity. The projects were also used as a means to reward his political supporters with lucrative public works contracts.
Once completed, much of this infrastructure would go unmaintained or unsupported. Schools without teachers or books, and hospitals without doctors or medicines, were commonplace.
For the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' landing in the Americas and the visit of Pope John Paul II, Balaguer spent millions on a restoration of parts of historic, colonial Santo Domingo, and on sprucing up the parts of the City to be transversed by the Pope, including the construction of a grand new avenue lined with modern housing blocks.

Faro a Colón
More controversial was that Balaguer spent two hundred million US Dollars on the construction of a massive ten-story Columbus Lighthouse. Completed in 1992, the Columbus Lighthouse was designed to beam the image of a Christian cross into the night sky and to be visible for tens of miles. Since completion, the Columbus Lighthouse, now also houses Columbus' remains, has been a minor tourist attraction. Its light has almost never been used due to extremely high energy costs and frequent blackouts in the country.
In January of 1994 he decided to run again for the presidency, even when he was almost 90 years old and completely blind. This time, his principal contender was José Francisco Peña Gómez of the PRD.
Peña Gómez was an extremely popular leader who proved to be Balaguer's staunchest opponent in an electoral fight. The campaigns (from both sides) were as dirty as possible. Peña Gómez, who was of Haitian ancestry, was insulted and accused of having a plan to unify the island, while Balaguer was reminded of his dark past many times.
The electoral fraud of May 16 was so blatant, that a huge national crisis exploded. Balaguer would have dodged it, but the PRD and Peña Gómez had extensive international support, and the pressure on the old caudillo made him waver. Both parts reached the "Pact for the Democracy", according new presidential elections, but without the participation of Balaguer.
But doctor Balaguer demonstrated once again his tremendous ability in politics. He sensed that only one man could beat Peña Gómez, and that man was Leonel Fernández, a fresh face from the Dominican Liberation Party. He did not doubt in sacrificing his own party PRSC in 1996 for the sake of his personal glory, so that he could vanquish Peña Gómez.
Boycotting the presidential candidacy of the then Vicepresident and official candidate Jacinto Peynado, he didn't even went to vote in the first round for him. With Peynado out, Balaguer immediately gave his votes in favor of Fernández, forming "The Patriotic Front", an alliance between the PRSC and the Dominican Liberation Party.
It was his check mate against the PRD, and maybe his greater political success. Fernández won with 52% against 48% of Peña Gómez, Balaguer was declared "Father of Democracy", sharing the stage with a senile and deteriorated Juan Bosch. Moreover, many of those who fought Balaguer in the past would dispute his favor until the day of his death.

[edit] Death and Legacy
In 2000, Balaguer decided to seek an eighth term as president of the Republic. He did not win the election, receiving around 23% of the votes. On July 14, 2002, Joaquín Balaguer died of heart failure at Santo Domingo's Abreu Clinic. He was 95. He had ordered a wake of four days, and his funeral lasted 16 hours.
He never lost his mental faculties. When he could not move anymore, he transferred the party to his own house, but never yielded before the reclamation for democratization of the party.
The balance in term of his contributions to the Dominican democracy is poor. With 72 years of political life, 45 of which he exercised power and referee until he was 95, Joaquin Balaguer was a phenomenon and thus he will have to be registered. For the sake of rod and cement and handling at will the national budget, the sly caudillo sacrificed the basic services, degrading education, eliminating social security, ruining hospitals and public transport, and leaving the country sunk obscurity, because he refused to make the investments that the energy industry demanded.
Perhaps his worst legacy was how he abused the state resources, his political crimes and the weakening of the democratic institutions, almost like synonymous of political success. For a long time there will be generation of politicians trying to repeat the balaguerism.

[edit] Recognized as an environmentalist
Jared Diamond's Collapse mentions Balaguer's push for environmental protection as a key difference between the environment of the Dominican Republic and its neighbour, Haiti. It included the enlargement of the national park system, demolishing illegal construction within the limits, substitution as popular fuel of scarce wood by imported Venezuelan gas.
This environmental trend led him to some confrontations with powerful landowners, and was controversial because of its impact on the rural poor. However, Balaguer actively worked on environmental matters despite the political risk.
There are several reasons proposed for this, including that his sisters had a great love for nature and that he specifically desired to distinguish the Dominican Republic from Haiti, the neighboring country which he despised for being unabashedly of African influence.

[edit] Personal life
Balaguer never married and officially never had children. This fact has been a frequent subject of controversy, since it is publicly known that at least he had two sons and one daughter. However, he always kept a very private and strange life; a servant of him was a dwarf woman who cleaned his house.
He wrote in his Memoirs that he was a catholic, but some say that he was also a Rosicrucian.
Balaguer was Second Secretary of the International Parliament for Safety and Peace, an International Organisation based in Italy. (see [1]and [2]).

[edit] Bibliography
Balaguer was a prolific author, having written many books for contemporary Dominican literature. His most famous work was his only narrative novel, called "Los Carpinteros". The most controversial of his works is perhaps "Memorias de un Cortesano en la Era de Trujillo", in which Balaguer, shielded by his political power admitted knowing the truth about the death of the revolutionary journalist Orlando Martínez. Balaguer left a blank page in the middle of the book to be filled in at the time of his death.
Balaguer explored several branches of literature. As a thorough researcher, he published many biographical books still used as reference, along with compilations and analysis of Dominican folk poets. As a poet, he was mostly of Post-Romantic influence, and his style remained strictly unchanged along his long career. Other themes, despite the sorrow expressed, are mostly noble: and idyllic view of nature, nostalgia, and memoirs of the past.
His total list of literary works is as follows:
Psalmos paganos (1922)
Claro de luna (1922)
Tebaida lírica (1924)
Nociones de métrica castellana (1930)
Azul en los charcos (1941)
La realidad dominicana (1941)
El Tratado Trujillo‑Hull y la liberación financiera de la República Dominicana (1941)
La política internacional de Trujillo (1941)
Guía emocional de la ciudad romántica (1944)
Letras dominicanas (1944)
Heredia, verbo de la libertad (1945)
Palabras con acentos rítmicos (1946)
Realidad dominicana. Semblanza de un país y un régimen (1947)
Los próceres escritores (1947)
Semblanzas literarias (1948)
En torno de un pretendido vicio prosódico de los poetas hispanoamericanos (1949)
Literatura dominicana (1950)
El Cristo de la libertad (1950)
Federico García Godoy (antología, 1951)
El principio de alternabilidad en la historia dominicana (1952)
Juan Antonio Alix: Décimas (Prólogo y recopilación, 1953)
Consideración acerca de la producción e inversión de nuestros impuestos (1953)
Apuntes para una historia prosódica de la métrica castellana (1954)
El pensamiento vivo de Trujillo (1955)
Historia de la literatura dominicana (1956)
Discursos. Panegíricos, política y educación política internacional (1957)
Colón, precursor literario (1958)
El centinela de la frontera. Vida y hazañas de Antonio Duvergé (1962)
El Reformismo: filosofía política de la revolución sin sangre (1966)
Misión de los intelectuales (Discurso, 1967)
Con Dios, con la patria y con la libertad (Discurso, 1971)
Conjura develada (Discurso, 1971)
Ante la tumba de mi madre (1972)
Temas educativos y actividades diplomáticas (1973)
La marcha hacia el Capitolio (1973)
Discursos. Temas históricos y literarios (1973)
Temas educativos y actividades diplomáticas (1974)
Cruces iluminadas (1974)
La palabra encadenada (1975)
Martí, crítica e interpretación (1975)
La cruz de cristal (1976)
Discursos escogidos (1977)
Discurso en el develamiento de la estatua del poeta Fabio Fiallo (1977)
Juan Antonio Alix, crítica e interpretación (1977)
Pedestales. Discursos históricos (1979)
Huerto sellado. Versos de juventud (1980)
Mensajes al pueblo dominicano (1983)
Entre la sangre del 30 de mayo y la del 24 de abril (1983)
La isla al revés (1983)
Galería heroica (1984)
Los carpinteros (1984)
La venda transparente (1987)
Memorias de un cortesano de la «Era de Trujillo» (1988)
Romance del caminante sin destino (Enrique Blanco) (1990)
Voz silente (1992)
De vuelta al capitolio 1986‑1992 (1

rafael leonidas trujillo

2007-08-07T13:10:00.019-07:00

Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina (October 24, 1891–May 30, 1961) was a dictator of the Dominican Republic from 1930 until 1961, occupying the Presidency of the Republic from 1930 until 1938 and again from 1942 until 1952, but always holding absolute power over all Dominican territory. His tyranny, historically known as "La Era de Trujillo" or "The Trujillo Era", is considered one of the bloodiest of the 20th century. Popularly, he was known as "El Jefe" or "The Chief", or by some derisive nicknames as "The Goat" or "Chapitas", the latter because of his indiscriminate use of medals, referring to the use of bottlecaps (chapitas) as toy medals by Dominican children.
Contents[hide]
1 Family and early life
2 Military Rising
3 The Beginning of an Era
4 His Government
5 The Downfall and Assassination
6 Legacy
7 His Family
8 In popular culture
9 References
10 Bibliography
//

[edit] Family and early life
Trujillo was born in San Cristóbal, in the southwest of the Dominican Republic. His parents were José Trujillo Valdez, a small retailer possibly of Canary origin, and Altagracia Julia Molina Chevalier (later known as Mamá Julia), whose mother was half-Haitian (which would later be suppressed due to his ordered massacre of Haitian's in the Dominican Republic) [1]. His siblings were Rosa María Julieta, Virgilio, José "Petán" Arismendy, Amable "Pipi" Romero, Aníbal Julio, Nieves Luisa, Pedro Vetilio, Ofelia Japonesa and Héctor "Negro" Bienvenido Trujillo Molina.
The childhood of Trujillo passed relatively without incidents. His basic education was irregular and quite limited. At six he was registered in the school of Juan Hilario Meriño, where he acquired elementary literacy. After a year, he transferred to the school of Pablo Barinas, who was a disciple of Eugenio María de Hostos, and remained there for three or four years. They said that Trujillo was a normal student, and their professors thought that he was intelligent.
When Trujillo was 16 years-old, his maternal uncle Plinio Pina Chevalier got him a job as telegrapher, with a monthly salary of US$25. Between 1910 and 1916 it was rumored that Trujillo engaged with his brother Jose Arismendy (Petán), in criminal activities such as cattle robbery, among others. In some occasions he was convicted by falsification of checks and promissory notes. He was also linked to the disappearance of certain sums of money in the postal office of Santo Domingo.

[edit] Military Rising
The participation of Trujillo in the public life begins more or less by those years when he declares himself "horacista", that is, a partisan with the political leader and future president Horacio Vásquez. By 1916 he comprised a criminal band known as "The 44", which assaulted warehouses that supplied the workers in the sugar plantations and, in addition, practiced blackmail and all type of violence. Trujillo was 25 years old when he began working in the sugar mill of San Isidro in a American property. He worked as weighter in charge of a scale in a loading base. Later he went to the mill of Boca Chica, where he took a job of guardacampestre, receiving a pay of thirty dollars monthly.
With the American intervention, Trujillo was removed from his job, taking the first steps in his political and military career. In 1918 the American Military Government disarmed the people and came to create the National Guard. By means of a letter that Trujillo wrote to colonel C. F. Williams, commander of this body, and with a letter of recommendation from the Central Boca Chica, Trujillo asked for a position in the newly created military force. His request was approved on 27 December 1918. Trujillo was quickly promoted to second lieutenant, rendering oath on 11 January 1919. He became lieutenant number 15 of the 16 who existed then in the National Guard, and ascended in the hierarchic scale over the officers that rose against the intervention.
In 1921 Rafael Trujillo enrolled in a Military school that founded the Occupation army in Haina and on the 22nd of December of that same year, he was designated to command the headquarters at San Pedro de Macorís. He was transferred to the Cibao in 1922 and, while in San Francisco de Macorís was promoted to captain without being in the rank of first lieutenant, something irregular but explicable due to the "services" lent by Trujillo to the American invaders. This ascent was accompanied by the reorganization of the National Guard, who became the Dominican National Police, in which Trujillo took the control of the 10th company. By 1924 Trujillo was temporarily promoted to command the North Department. In September he received the definitive appointment, being ascended to the rank of Major. When General Horacio Vásquez won the elections that followed the North American troops' departure that same year, Trujillo was requested to remain as Chief of the National Police. On December 6th, President Vásquez promoted Trujillo to Lieutenant Colonel and Chief of Staff, and by 1927, he was promoted to Brigadier General, with full powers to topple the unstable and deteriorated government.

[edit] The Beginning of an Era
Supported by the United States legation, a military-civilian movement was organized in Santiago to overthrow President Vásquez's government. The civilian representative was Rafael Estrella, and Rafael Trujillo, then Chief of the Army and Brigadier General, the military man. The rebels made an assault in the Headquarters of Santiago, after which they marched towards Santo Domingo. President Vásquez ordered Trujillo to face the situation, but he alleged "illness". Vásquez named Colonel José Alfonseca to direct the military actions, but Trujillo replaced him with Simón Diaz, who did not attack the rebels. A few days after this comedy, specifically the 26th of February, the rebellious troops under the command of general José Estrella (uncle of Rafael Estrella), entered the capital without encountering resistance and shouting slogans in favor of Rafael Estrella and Trujillo. After some negotiations, it was announced the resignation of President Vásquez and the formation of a new government, with Rafael Estrella as president, although it was Trujillo who really controlled the situation by appointing his henchmen in key positions. Although he had promised that he would not aspire to the presidency of the country, Trujillo was proclaimed candidate on March 18, 1930 and elected president on May 16, with more than 95% of the votes.
Political opposition was eliminated by means of murders, bribes and persecutions. From its beginnings, the regime of Trujillo was characterized openly as a tyranny. One of the first acts of barbarism was the murder of Virgilio Martinez Reyna and his wife. Martinez Reyna, a prominent man of great reputation that had been close to former Vice-president José Dolores Alfonseca, had advised Alfonseca to get rid of Trujillo when the man was gaining power. A group of assassins arrived at his house on June 1st, 1930, and after shooting him mutilated his body with machetes. While they committed the crime, his wife, who was heavily pregnant at the time, entered the room and received two shots in the belly. Thus it was left as an example of the treatment that every man and woman would receive who would become an opponent to the new strong man in Latin America.
An event of nature gave Trujillo a chance to begin an extensive program of infrastructure works throughout the country. The San Zenon Hurricane, which devastasted the island in September of 1930, left more than 3,000 dead and incalculable damages in its wake. At the same time, Trujillo seized the moment to proclaim himself as a modern man, but monopolizing all political activity with the creation of his own party: the Dominican Party, the only party.
Using psychological pressures and manipulating the fear of the population, the new Party obtained a great amount of registered members, including some of his more fervent opponents. The political mission of such organization was nothing other than to materialize the desires of Trujillo. The worship to his personality was one of the fundamental aspects, next to the historical justification of his arrival to the political power. Most of these reasons were elaborated by some of the most enlightened minds, who provided their talents to Trujillo sometimes without hesitation, and sometimes even in truly embarrassing ways.
"Flatter" as an art-form grew, as did its "artists" whose main interest seemed to be feeding the ego of Trujillo. One of the best examples was Mario Fermín Cabral, who proposed that the traditional name of the capital of the country be changed from "Santo Domingo" to "Ciudad Trujillo," and the Congress dutifully issued a proclamation announcing the change. Fermín Cabral also devised the symbol of the palmita that later identified the Dominican Party, becoming practically an identity card that everybody had to carry at all times, or face being jailed.
In the terms of establishing a cult to himself, Trujillo and his circle made sure that every Dominican felt and believed that they needed a messianic and almost superhuman conductor to lead their destiny. For instance, there was the immense production of statues and busts with the figure or the face of the president (a fact even registered in the Guinness Book of Records), the daily homages to his name and his family's (many public buildings were named after him, his mother, his father, his sons, or his brothers), and many homes had badges with the slogan "God and Trujillo". He even commanded signboards to be put in churches that read "God in the sky, Trujillo in the Earth." Later, when his deliriums of emperor were more excited than ever, the phrases were reversed: "Trujillo in the Earth, God in the sky".
His daughter Angelita was designated "Queen" of the "International Fair of Peace and Fraternity of the World" in 1955, a pompous event that cost US$30 millions, and his wife María Martínez, a semi-illiterate woman, was declared a writer and philosopher.

[edit] His Government
After he left office in 1938, Trujillo occupied the Presidency again from 1942 to 1952. Nevertheless, during the interim periods he exercised absolute power, while leaving the ceremonial affairs of state to puppet presidents such as Jacinto Peynado, his own brother Héctor Trujillo, who occupied the National Palace from 1952 to 1960, and Joaquín Balaguer, an intellectual and scholar who served from 1960 to 1961. Since the beginning, Trujillo became known for his open door policies toward Jewish refugees at a time when they were being turned away from the wealthier countries, and then toward exiles from the Spanish Civil War. He helped develop the policy of racial discrimination known as Antihaitianismo which is "anti-Haitian." These are viewed by historians as public relations ploys and attempts to "whiten" the predominantly mixed-race nation. He favored the arrival of White or Caucasian people over the rest, in a methodical attempt to increase the White population. In pursuing this policy, he allegedly ordered Dominican troops to expel "all illegal people from the country", but the real orders were to massacre the Haitians sugar cane workers, who were black illegal immigrants, in their majority. Thus, in 1937, as a result of an action that Trujillo claimed was a sovereign response to the Haitian government's support of exiled Dominicans working to overthrow him, thousands of Haitians were slaughtered while trying to escape. The number of the dead is still unknown, though it is now calculated between 8,000 and 15,000. Later, Trujillo was forced to pay $525,000 in reparations.
One of Trujillo's main goals was to equip the Armed forces. The personnel received generous pay and perquisites under his rule, and their ranks and equipment inventories expanded. Trujillo maintained control over the officer corps through fear, patronage, and the frequent rotation of assignments, which inhibited the development of strong personal followings. The other leading beneficiaries of the dictatorship--aside from Trujillo himself and his family--were those who associated themselves with the regime both politically and economically. The establishment of state monopolies over all major enterprises in the country brought riches to the Trujillos through the manipulation of prices and inventories as well as the outright embezzlement of funds.
Ideologically, Trujillo leaned toward capitalism. Basically, however, Trujillo was not an ideologue, but a Dominican caudillo expanded to monstrous proportions by his absolute control of the nation's resources. His anti-communism tended toward a peaceful coexistence with Washington; during World War II Trujillo had sided with the Allies.
As always, self-interest and the need to maintain his personal power guided Trujillo's actions. Trujillo encouraged diplomatic and economic ties with the U.S., but his policies often caused friction with other nations of Latin America, especially Costa Rica, with José Figueres, and Venezuela, with Rómulo Betancourt.

[edit] The Downfall and Assassination
The year 1957 was the beginning of the end. With Johnny Abbes, an obscure and heinous man directing the Intelligence Military Service (the secret police), the regime became more violent and increasingly isolated from other nations. This isolation compounded the dictator's paranoia, prompting him to worsen his foreign interventionism. Months before, the Spaniard Jesús de Galíndez, a professor in the Columbia University in New York, had been kidnapped and murdered in the Dominican Republic.
To be sure, Trujillo did have cause to resent the leaders of some nations, such as Cuba's Fidel Castro, who assisted a small, abortive invasion attempt by dissident Dominicans in 1959. Trujillo, however, expressed greater concern over Venezuela's president Rómulo Betancourt (1959-64). An established and outspoken opponent of Trujillo, Betancourt had been associated with some individual Dominicans who had plotted against the dictator. Trujillo developed an obsessive personal hatred towards Betancourt and supported numerous plots of Venezuelan exiles to overthrow him. This pattern of intervention led the Venezuelan government to take its case against Trujillo to the Organization of American States (OAS). This development infuriated Trujillo, who ordered his foreign agents to plant a bomb inside Betancourt's car. The assassination attempt, carried on June 24, 1960, injured but did not kill the Venezuelan president.
The firestorm caused from the incident inflamed world opinion against Trujillo. The members of the OAS, expressing this outrage, voted unanimously to sever diplomatic relations and to impose strong economic sanctions on the Dominican Republic.
Finally on the night of the May 30 1961, Rafael Trujillo was shot to death in the street on George Washington Avenue, Santo Domingo. He was the victim of an ambush plotted by Modesto Diaz, Salvador Estrella Sadhalá, Antonio de la Maza, Amado García Guerrero, Manuel Cáceres Michel (Tunti), Juan Tomás Diaz, Roberto Pastoriza, Luis Amiama Tió, Antonio Imbert Barrera, Pedro Livio Cedeño, and Huáscar Tejeda. According to American reporter Bernard Diedrich, the CIA had supplied some of the guns used to kill the president. In a report to the Deputy Attorney General, CIA officials described the agency as having "no active part" in the assassination and only a "faint connection" with the groups that planned the killing.[1] However, an internal CIA memorandum states that an Office of Inspector General investigation into Trujillo's murder disclosed "quite extensive Agency involvement with the plotters." [2]
His funeral was that of a man of state, with the long procession ending in his hometown of San Cristóbal. The then-president Joaquín Balaguer pronounced the last words in his memory. Trujillo was buried in Paris, in the cemetery Cimetière du Père Lachaise, at the request of his relatives. [2]

[edit] Legacy
As most dictators, Trujillo reorganized the state and the economy and left a vast infrastructure to the country. But personal freedoms and rights were virtually nonexistent, and the democracy and politics suffered under his regime.
To this day, Trujillism's influence in bureaucracy, military and some aspects of the culture is still concrete. Incredibly, a few families and men who became powerful -or already were- during the regime, are untouchable, even if they are related to crimes or illegally possesses money or lands. One of the best examples is "Pechito" León Estévez, Trujillo's ex son-in-law.
There are Dominicans who still defend Trujillo, longing for the times of order and peace, even if the price could be tortures or their own lives, or their families'.

[edit] His Family

Trujillo with his second wife Bienvenida in 1934.
In 1913, at the age of 22, Rafael Trujillo married Aminta Ledesma. Her parents, poor farmers of San Cristóbal, unwillingly allowed the marriage of their daughter with Trujillo, already of questioned reputation, because the young woman was pregnant of who would the first daughter of Trujillo, Flor de Oro Trujillo. By 1924 they had divorced. Trujillo, who had now a better social rank, married in 1925 to Bienvenida Ricardo, a young woman from a rich family in Montecristi, which did not prevent him to continue his extramarital love affairs.
The marriage fell into severe crisis when Trujillo fell with which would be his third and last wife, María Martínez, from a respected family although of low social scale. In 1937 Trujillo divorced Bienvenida (then pregnant with a girl, Odette) and married María.
María bore him three children: two sons Ramfis and Rhadamés, named after characters in Verdi's opera Aida, and one daughter Angelita. Also, throughout all this marriage his adulterous escapades were well-known and documented, and he made no effort to hide them from anyone. An example of this was his love affair with Lina Lovatón Pittaluga, an upper-class debutant, shortly after marrying Martínez.[3] But María Martínez was a dangerous woman, and Lovatón almost died poisoned when it became known that Trujillo wanted to marry her.
Two of Trujillo's brothers, Héctor and José Arismendy, were also involved in the government. José Arismendy Trujillo oversaw the creation of "La Voz Dominicana", the main radio station and later, the television station which became the fourth in the continent.

[edit] In popular culture
Merengue tipico artist Fefita La Grande wrote a merengue called "Homenaje al Jefe", literally "Homage to the Chief", because of Rafael Trujillo's promotion of the merengue dance and musical style.
Mario Vargas Llosa wrote a historical novel, The Feast of the Goat, published in 1996, about Trujillo and his hold over the country. Luis Llosa directed a movie of the same name, based on the novel and released in 2005.
In 2003 a Spanish film about Jesús Galíndez, El misterio Galíndez, was released. The movie is based on a novel by Spanish writer Manuel Vázquez Montalbán and focuses in the abduction, torture and death of Galíndez. Trujillo appears in several scenes and is played by Cuban actor Enrique Almirante.
Edwidge Danticat wrote a historical novel about the massacre of Haitians, The Farming of Bones.
In the 2001 motion picture In the Time of the Butterflies, based on the novel by Julia Álvarez of the same name. Trujillo is played by Edward James Olmos. The story is about the Mirabal sisters. The book, on a few occasions, refers to Trujillo as 'El Jefe'.
Álvarez also depicted the last years of Trujillo's rule in her work of juvenile fiction, Before We Were Free.
In the film The Day of the Jackal, it is portrayed that the Jackal is the same assassin who killed Patrice Lumumba and Rafael Leonidas Trujillo before attempting to murder Charles de Gaulle.
Trujillo himself had a cameo in the 1942 film Casablanca. He can be seen in the background of the famous airport tarmac scene starting a silver-colored airplane's propeller on the right-hand side of the screen.[4]
Eric Ambler's classic suspense novel, Doctor Frigo (1974), is set in a tropical-island dictatorship very much inspired by Trujillo's Santo Domingo.
In the American TV show The X-Files, the episode "Musings of a Cigarette-Smoking Man" suggests that the episode's namesake was involved

mon caceres

2007-08-07T13:10:00.018-07:00

general y politico dominicano 1868-1911 presidente de la republica 1906 al 1911

horacio vazques

2007-08-07T13:10:00.017-07:00

Horacio Vázquez (1860-1936) was twice president of the Dominican Republic. His second period in office was probably the most democratic era in the history of the Dominican Republic.
Horacio Vázquez rose to national prominence during the dictatorship (1882-1899) of the part-Haitian president Ulises Heureaux, during which time he served in the armed forces. In the rough-and-tumble politics of that time Vázquez emerged a general and also acquired certain popularity among civilians. Although long serving the Heureaux regime, he joined with two other future presidents, Juan Isidro Jiménez and Ramón Cáceres, in ploting the overthrow of the dictatorship. In July 1899 Heureaux was slain by conspirators under the direction of these three men.
Although Vázquez and Jiménez had worked together against Heureaux, they immediately came into conflict once he was dead. For the next generation, politics was dominated by the struggle between two factions: Vázquez' followers, known generally as horacistas, and those of Jiménez, popularly referred to as the jimenistas. During this period Vázquez served as president for a year, in 1903-1904, but was overthrown by the Jiménez group. Vázquez was generally in opposition during the decade and a half following the murder of Heureaux.
The chaotic nature of Dominican politics during these years, and the growing burden and complexity of the national debt engendered by governmental instability, served as the excuses for United States armed intervention in the country in 1916. Effective power remained in the hands of the U.S. Marines until 1924.

In preparation for departure of these armed forces from the Dominican Republic, Sumner Welles, a rising U.S. diplomat, was charged with arranging for the election of a new Dominican president. Vázquez won the election as candidate of the National party. He took office in October 1924.
Vázquez' second administration was one of the most peaceful and progressive periods in the turbulent history of the Dominican Republic. Government finances remained in order, although the government did add to the national debt by a $10 million loan. The President and most of his top officials were scrupulously honest. Modest progress was made in building roads and schools and other projects.
But most important of all, the government was characterized by a degree of democratic tolerance which was almost unheard of in the Dominican Republic. The opposition was allowed to function with relative freedom, and the press and other media of public expression enjoyed wide latitude to criticize the government.
However, one major violation of the generally democratic spirit of the Vázquez administration was its action in 1927 in having Congress extend the President's term of office from 4 to 6 years. This was later used as an excuse by apologists of Gen. Rafael Trujillo for his disloyalty to the Vázquez administration.
Trujillo was principally responsible for Vázquez' downfall. When, late in 1929, Vázquez indicated his willingness to run for another term, Trujillo, commandant of the National Army, began plotting with those opposed to Vázquez. When a revolt against Vázquez broke out in May 1930, Trujillo and the army remained "neutral." Vázquez was forced to negotiate with the rebels and, as a consequence, retired to private life.
Within a few months of Vázquez' resignation, the Trujillo dictatorship had been firmly established. Vázquez took no further part in politics and resisted all attempts of Trujillo to get him to endorse and support the new regime.
This is the complete article, containing 546 words (

juan isidro jimenez

2007-08-07T13:10:00.016-07:00

Santo Domingo, 1846- id., 1919) Político dominicano. Presidente de la República tras la muerte de Ulises Heureaux (1899-1902), intentó hacer frente a la enorme deuda pública con sendos acuerdos con los acreedores europeos (1899) y estadounidenses (1900). Derrocado por el general Horacio Vázquez, fue nuevamente elegido presidente en 1914. En 1916 fue obligado a dimitir por el presidente estadounidense Wilson.

buenaventura baez

2007-08-07T13:10:00.015-07:00

general politico dominicano (1810-1884)rival de santana fue presidente de la republica 1849 al 1853 del 57 al 73 y en el 1877 su proyecto de incorporar la republica a los estados unidos le grangeo impopularidad y lo obligo a renuncia.

hermanas mirabal

2007-08-07T13:10:00.013-07:00

Patria Mercedes Mirabal (February 27, 1924 – November 25, 1960), Maria Argentina Minerva Mirabal (March 12, 1926 – November 25, 1960) and Antonia María Teresa Mirabal (October 15, 1935 – November 25, 1960) — were natives of the Dominican Republic who fervently opposed the dictatorship of Rafael Leónidas Trujillo. A fourth sister, Bélgica Adela "Dedé" Mirabal-Reyes [1] was not assassinated the day her sisters were. She currently lives in Salcedo, Dominican Republic and is 82 years old. She precedes in the sister's natal house and works to preserve her sister's memory through the "Museo Hermanas Mirabal" which is also located in Salcedos de Macoris and was home to the girls for the final ten months of their lives).
The Mirabal sisters grew up in an upper class, well-cultured environment. All became married, family women. The father of the Mirabal sisters was a successful businessman. When Trujillo came to power, their family lost almost all of their fortune. They believed that Trujillo would send their country into economic chaos. Minerva became particularly passionate about ending the dictatorship of Trujillo after talking extensively with an uncle of hers. Influenced by her uncle, Minerva became more involved in the anti-Trujillo movement. Minerva studied law and became a lawyer, but because she did not allow Trujillo romantic advancements he ordered that she was not to receive her title. Her sisters followed suit, and they eventually formed a group of opponents to the Trujillo regime, known as the Movement of the Fourteenth of June. Inside that group, they were known as "The Butterflies" (Las Mariposas in Spanish). They are known as Las Mariposas because that was the underground name that Minerva was recognized as in the political dealings. Two of the sisters were incarcerated and tortured on several occasions. Three of the sisters' husbands were incarcerated at La Victoria Penitentiary in Santo Domingo.
Despite these setbacks, they persisted fighting to try to end Trujillo's dictatorship. After the sisters' numerous imprisonments, Trujillo decided to get rid of the sisters. On November 25, 1960, he sent men to intercept the three women after the women visited their husbands in prison. The unarmed sisters were led into a sugarcane field, then beaten and strangled to death. Their car was later thrown off of a mountain known as La Cumbre, between the cities of Santiago and Puerto Plata.
Trujillo believed at the time that he had removed a significant problem. Having the three sisters killed backfired, however: the deaths of the Mirabal sisters caused a general public outrage in their native country. The resultant publicity of the deaths caused the Dominican public to become more interested in the Mirabal sisters and their cause. This public support and awareness contributed to Trujillo's assassination six months later in 1961.
The Mirabal sisters are buried in Ojo de Agua, an area outside the city of Salcedo in Salcedo Province. They are buried on the property of their second home, where they lived the last ten months of their lives. This home has also been turned into a museum in their honor and is open to the public. There is also a library, bookstore, and souvenir shop located on the property. The three sisters are buried together, and Manolo, Minerva's husband, is also buried with them.
The surviving sister, Dedé, lives near the museum. One of her sons, Jaime David Fernandez Mirabal, served as the vice-president during Leonel Fernández's first term as president of the republic between the years of 1996 and 2000. Minou Tavarez Mirabal, the eldest daughter of Minerva Mirabal has served as a Congresswoman since 1998 until 2006, and has recently been reelected for four additional years (until 2010).

[edit] Publicity
On December 17, 1999, the United Nations General Assembly designated November 25 (the anniversary of the day of the murder of the Mirabal sisters) as the annual date for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in commemoration of the sisters.
In 1994, Dominican-American author Julia Álvarez published her novel In the Time of the Butterflies, a fictionalized account of the lives of the Mirabal sisters. The novel was adapted into the 2001 movie In the Time of the Butterflies, starring Salma Hayek as Minerva and Edward James Olmos as Trujillo. Marc Anthony also plays a role in the movie.
The Mirabal Sisters 45th year anniversary of their death was held on November 25, 2005.
Due to their mark in history November 25, is observed each year as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in honor of the Mirabal sisters. It also marks the beginning of the 16 days of Activism against Gender Violence [2]. The end of the 16 Days is December 10

pedro florentino

2007-08-07T13:10:00.012-07:00

General Pedro Florentino was an officer in the army of the Dominican Republic during the struggle to restore Dominican independence from Haiti. He was the hero of the important Battle of Jacuba. Haiti had ruled the country from 1822 through 1844 when independence was declared by the "Trinitarians Duarte, Sánchez and Mella".

la trinitaria

2007-08-07T13:10:00.011-07:00

S.d. La Sociedad Secreta “La Trinitaria”, considerado el más importante movimiento de los que persiguen la desaparición de la dominación haitiana, fue fundada hace unos seis años.
La sociedad fue fundada por Juan Pablo Duarte en la mañana del día 16 de julio de 1838, día de Nuestra Señora del Carmen en la residencia de la señora Chepita Pérez de la Paz, ubicada en la calle de los Nichos, frente a la Iglesia del Carmen de esta ciudad. El propósito primordial de esta agrupación era lograr la independencia de la Parte del Este de la isla de Santo Domingo.
Por lo que hemos sabido, los miembros fundadores de la sociedad fueron el joven comerciante Duarte, y sus amigos Pedro A. Pina, Jacinto de la Concha, José Maria Serra, Juan N. Ravelo, Felipe Alfau, Félix Mª Ruiz, Benito González y Juan Isidro Pérez.
Se cuenta que los iniciados hicieron un juramento de independizar la patria o morir y que sellaron este juramento con su sangre, como señal de compromiso ineludible. Cada uno de ellos se comprometió a difundir el ideal de la independencia entre sus amigos y relacionados y a obtener nuevos adeptos a la causa.
Todos los integrantes de la sociedad son jóvenes pertenecientes a la sociedad de Santo Domingo, con edades que fluctúan entre los 27 años de edad de González y los 17 de Pina. Duarte tenía 25 años de edad, al momento de la fundación de la sociedad.
La agrupación estaba organizada en forma muy similar a la existente en organizaciones conspirativas europeas y latinoamericanas, como la de los Soles de América, de la que se ha dicho es una copia casi exacta.
La característica de esta organización es que inicia los adeptos en células revolucionarias sin que se sepa el nombre del líder de la revuelta. Cada célula revolucionaria está compuesta de tres miembros y cada miembro está en la obligación de conseguir dos miembros más, para así seguir ampliando la cadena revolucionaria.
Al cabo de unos pocos años después de su fundación, la mecha encendida por Duarte era un incendio revolucionario de grandes proporciones.
Cuando se planea en Haití derrocar al gobierno de Boyer, los dominicanos escondieron el verdadero móvil de sus actos, pues era estratégicamente correcto contribuir a la debilidad del enemigo para dar el golpe de la separación.
Es por ello que conocedores del movimiento del general Hérard para derrocar a Boyer, los trinitarios se movilizan y envían emisarios a Haití a lograr la combinación para el golpe. El segundo emisario, que hemos sabido fue el señor Matías Ramón Mella, logró hacer el contacto y obtener la participación dominicana en la revuelta.
El golpe se concretó el pasado 24 de marzo de 1843, y en la confesión que siguió, algunos exaltados dominicanos gritaron “viva la independencia”.
La conspiración de La Reforma fue la más exitosa de todas las intentadas contra el gobierno de Boyer y la misma permitió a los dominicanos participar activamente en las labores revolucionarias que se habían trazado desde la fundación de la sociedad secreta La Trinitaria en 1838.
La proclamación de La Reforma en Santo Domingo costó sangre de ambos lados. Por lo menos cinco muertos y un número indeterminado de heridos, fue el resultado de la confusión que resultó al abrir fuego las tropas y responder algunos de los amotinados. Por lo menos, cuatro soldados haitianos, incluyendo un oficial, aparecen entre las bajas, así como un joven venezolano, de nombre Toribio, de parte de los revolucionarios.

jose maria imbert

2007-08-07T13:10:00.010-07:00

el apellido materno de José María Bartolomé Imbert, Héroe de la batalla de Santiago del 30 de marzo —que consolidó la recién lograda Separación de la parte española de la isla de Santo Domingo de la parte haitiana el 27 de febrero de 1844— sería Du Plessis y no Dupresse o Duplessné, como consignan algunos historiadores dominicanos.
El General José María Imbert sería en consecuencia descendiente colateral de Armand Jean Du Plessis, Cardenal y Duque de Richelieu, Primer Ministro de Francia y Arquitecto del estado francés quien, con su genio político, convirtió una simple monarquía en la más respetada potencia europea durante el reinado de Luis XIII.
José María Imbert, nació el 24 de agosto de 1798, en Francia y murió el 14 de mayo de 1848, en Puerto Plata. Se casó con María Francisca Delmonte Sánchez, con quien procreó seis hijos: Máxima Regina, Ana Francisca, Gabriel, Nemensia, Segundo Francisco y Honoria.
La descendencia de José María Imbert es más numerosa a través de las ramas de sus hijos Ana Francisca, Segundo Francisco y Honoria; en vista de que Máxima Regina sólo tuvo un hijo, Gabriel que murió joven y no dejó descendencia conocida, y Nemensia murió de meses.
La permanencia del apellido Imbert en la sociedad dominicana, se produce a través de la rama de Segundo Francisco y a través de Segundo Gabriel Marino Francisco, un hijo de Honoria que al ser declarado natural, llevó el apellido paterno de su madre, preservando así también este apellido procero.
El General Antonio Imbert Barrera, Héroe Nacional —por participar en el derrocamiento de la sangrienta y oprobiosa tiranía de Trujillo— es bisnieto de José María Imbert por la rama de Segundo Francisco Imbert Delmonte.

pepillo salcedo

2007-08-07T13:10:00.009-07:00

General José Antonio Salcedo y Ramírez, "Pepillo" General Salcedo led a civil war which aimed at the restoration of the Dominican Republic. The war began on August 16, 1863, and by September 14, 1863 a Provisional Government was established, over which the general presided. After he assumed the presidency of the Dominican Republic, the general was opposed by the Nationalist movement, who viewed his policies as favouring those supporting the annexation of the country. On October 15, 1864, President Salcedo was defeated by Gaspar Polanco, also a general at the time.
The town of Pepillo Salcedo, in Monte Cristi province, was named in his honour.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JosÃ©_Antonio_Salcedo"

juan sanchez ramirez

2007-08-07T13:10:00.008-07:00

militar dominicano que al frente del movimiento llamado reconquista, derroto a los franceses en palo hincado en 1808 y reestablecio la soberania española 1809.

pedro santana

2007-08-07T13:10:00.007-07:00

Pedro Santana Familias (1801-1864) was a soldier and politician of the Dominican Republic born in the border community of Hincha (now in Haiti). He was the first constitutional President of the Dominican Republic, and the first Marqués de las Carreras.

General Pedro Santana Familias
Contents[hide]
1 Background
2 Military and political role
3 As a Dictator
4 External links
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[edit] Background
His parents were Pedro Santana and Petronila Familias, landowners in the border zone. Around 1805, Santana moved with his family to El Cibao, and later to El Seibo at the eastern part of the country, where he eventually became a cattle rancher.

[edit] Military and political role
He held the office of the presidency during the years 1844-1848, 1853-1856, and 1858-1861 (when Spain annexed the country). Thereafter, Santana became Governor, with the rank of Captain General of the territory. He continued in this post until 1862. He also received the Spanish noble title of Marquess de las Carreras.
Santana was characterized by his great military talents, dictatorial tendencies, annexationist desires, and meticulousness in public affairs. Politically, his actions are criticized by many historians, though without doubt he was a great soldier, which is demonstrated by his participation in numerous battles, including: Batalla del 19 de marzo; Azua in 1844; and Batalla de Las Carreras. He also fought with distinction in the Revolution of July 7, 1857, when the residents of Cibao placed the revolutionary army under his command.
The Congress of the Dominican Republic awarded him the title of “Liberator of the Nation” on July 18, 1849 for his victory in the Batalla de las Carreras.

[edit] As a Dictator
Albeit being considered a brilliant military strategist, and was in fact a key figure in the successful separation of the Dominican Republic from Haiti, many historians point to the fact that many of his later actions detracted him from becoming a bona fide National Hero:
After his armies beat the Haitian soldiers out of the country, he almost immediately embarked on a quest to eliminate the very Independentists that fought alongside him, because Santana felt that the new nation could not survive without being annexed to Spain, a point of view that the Trinitarian Independentists would not share with him.
He relentlessly proceeded to arrest and/or force to exile members of La Trinitaria. The very first person that was forced out of the country was Juan Pablo Duarte, founding father of the new Dominican Republic.
Another one, was the first heroine of the Republic and sister of one of the Founding Fathers of the nation, María Trinidad Sánchez, sister of Francisco del Rosario Sánchez. She, along with Concepción Bona, made the first national flag. Santana first incarcerated, tortured and sentenced her to death by execution, in lieu that she denied to name the "conspirators" of the newly annexed republic. Exactly one year after the proclamation of Independence (February 27, 1845) María Trinidad Sánchez was executed by a firing squad. This made her the first (but not last) female martyr of the republic[1].
After being defeated in the elections of 1848, he reluctantly handed over the presidency to Manuel Jimenes González, only to overthrow it by force less than a year later.
On July 16, 1864, Pedro Santana died in the city of Santo Domingo, shortly after having been awarded the hereditary title of Marqués de las Carreras by Queen Isabel II of Spain, and was buried in the Santo Domingo fortress next to the Torre del Homenaje.

gregorio luperon

2007-08-07T13:10:00.006-07:00

Gregorio Luperón (September 8, 1839 - May 21, 1897), born at Puerto Plata, was a Dominican military and state leader who is better remembered as the main leader in the restoration of the Dominican Republic after the Spanish annexation in 1863.
The Gregorio Luperón International Airport in Puerto Plata and the Gregorio Luperon High School for Math & Science in New York are named after him.

maximo gomez

2007-08-07T13:10:00.005-07:00

Máximo Gómez y Báez (18 November 1836 in the Dominican Republic - 17 June 1905 in Havana, Cuba) was a Major General in the Ten Years' War (1868-1878) and Cuba's military commander in that country's War of Independence (1895-1898).
Gómez was born in the town of Baní, in the province of Peravia, in the Dominican Republic .When he was a teenager, he joined in the battles against the Haitian invasions of Faustine Soulouque in the 1850's[citation needed]. He was trained as an officer of the Spanish Army . at the Zaragoza Military Academy and originally arrived in Cuba as a cavalry officer - a Colonel - in the Spanish Army and fought along side the Spanish forces in the Dominican Annexation War (1861-1865). After the Spanish forces were defeated and fled the Dominican Republic in 1865 by order of Queen Isabel II, many supporters of the Annexionist cause left with them, and Maximo Gomez moved to his family to Cuba in disgrace.
He retired from the Spanish Army and took up the rebel cause in 1868, helping transform the Cuban Army's military tactics and strategy from the conventional approach favored by Thomas Jordan and others. He gave the Cuban Mambises their most feared tactic: The "Machete Charge".
On October 26, 1868 at Pinos de Baire, Gomez led a Machete Charge on foot, ambushing a Spanish column and obliterating it. The Spanish Army was terrified of these charges because the majority were infantry troops, mainly conscripts, who were fearful of being cut down by the machetes. Because the Cuban Army always lacked sufficient munitions, the usual combat technique was to shoot once and then charge the Spanish Infantry Squares.
In 1871 Gómez led a campaign to clear Guantánamo from forces loyal to Spain. The rich coffee growers, mostly of French descent, opposed Cuban independence because their ancestors had fled Haiti after the Haitians ousted the French.
Gómez carried out a bloody but successful campaign, and most of his officers went on to become high ranking officers, including Antonio and José Maceo, Adolfo Flor Crombet, Policarpo Pineda "Rustán", and many others.
Following the death in combat of Major General Ignacio Agramonte y Loynáz in May 1873, Gómez assumed the command of the military district of the province of Camaguey and its famed Cavalry Corps. Upon first inspecting the corps he concluded they were the best trained and disciplined in the Cuban Army.
Gómez rose to the rank of Generalísimo of the Cuban Army - a rank akin to that of Captain General or in modern terms that of General of the Army - due to his superior military leadership.
He adapted and formalized the improvised military tactics that had first been used by Spanish Guerrilas against Napoleon Bonaparte's Armies into a cohesive and comprehensive system at both the tactical and strategic level. The concept of insurrection and insurgency, and the asymmetric nature thereof can be traced intellectually to him.
He was shot in the neck in 1875, while crossing the fortified line or Trocha from Júcaro in the south to Morón in the North; while leading the failed attempt to invade Western Cuba. After that he always wore a kerchief around his neck. His second and last wound came in 1896 while fighting in the rural areas outside Havana while completing a successful invasion of Western Cuba.
He was wounded only twice during 15 years of guerilla warfare against an enemy far superior in manpower and logistics. In contrast, his most trusted officer and second-in-command, Lt. General Antonio Maceo y Grajales, was shot 27 times in the same span of time, with number 26 being the mortal wound. Gómez' son and Maceo's aide-de-camp, Francisco Gómez y Toro - nicknamed "Panchito" - was killed trying to recover Maceo's dead body, in combat December 7, 1896.
At the end of the Cuban Independence War in 1898 he retired to a villa outside of Havana. He refused the presidential nomination that was offered to him in 1901, and which he was expected to win unopposed, mainly because he always disliked politics and after 40 years of living in Cuba he still felt that being Dominican-born he should not be the civil leader of Cuba.
He died in his villa in 1905 and was interred in the Colon Cemetery, Havana.
Maximo Gomez Park, a park in Miami, Florida, United States, – better known as Domino Park – was named in his honor.
Gómez's portrait graces Cuban currency on the 10 pesos bill

ramon matias mella

2007-08-07T13:10:00.004-07:00

Matías Ramón Mella, born 25 February 1816, is regarded as a national hero in the Dominican Republic. The Order of Merit of Duarte, Sanchez and Mella is partially named in his honor.
He contributed significantly during the 1844 Dominican War of Independence against Haiti, and was involved in the storming of St. Giles Fort by Dominican forces.
He was a member of the First Republic's provisional governing board, convened 28 February 1844

fransisco del rosario sanchez

2007-08-07T13:10:00.003-07:00

Francisco Del Rosario Sánchez (March 9, 1817 - July 4, 1861) was a politician and founding father of the Dominican Republic. He is considered by Dominicans as the second founding father of the 1844 Dominican War of Independence, after Juan Pablo Duarte and before Ramón Matías Mella. The Order of Merit of Duarte, Sanchez and Mella are named in honor of these founding fathers. He was the son of Narciso Sánchez and Olaya Del Rosario, who were not married at the time of his birth.
Sanchez was the son of a Spanish immigrant, and travelled to the USA and Europe. His vision of the cause was the typical republican goal of the Age of Enlightenment. Duarte's exile takes place at the last and most crucial stage of the struggle. It is when Duarte is exiled and hidden to Venezuela that the figure of Sánchez becomes the central prescence in the Dominican revolt. This is why he is considered the "real" founding father of the Dominican Republic by many authors.
Sánchez takes the lead as the prime mover of the independence movement, maintaining contact with Duarte through his relatives. While educated and having taught himself Latin and French later in life, he is mostly remembered as a man of action. In the proceedings that took place just before the proclamation of independence in February 27, 1844, Sánchez was voted by his peers in La Trinitaria as Commander in Arms and Chief of the Government Junta in the nascent republic. This was quite a recognition and testament to his virtues. He was 27 at the time, his social standing was clearly more humble than that of the men around him, and his black complexion struck a dissonant note among a group of mainly European descendants trying to rebel against the black republic of Haiti.
After a brief period of turmoil and quick political succession, Pedro Santana exiled the main architects of the Independence. Sánchez spent four years in exile and was eventually pardoned. He returned to the Dominican Republic in time to see Santana lead the Spanish Annexion, a process of reverting the Dominican side of the island back into a Spanish colony. Sánchez defied the traitors of the republican cause. In the meantime, he was captured by Santana's forces and executed in 1861.

juan pablo duarte

2007-08-07T13:10:00.002-07:00

Juan Pablo Duarte y Diez was born on January 26, 1813 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic during the period of (in Spanish called) España Boba. Duarte, along with Francisco del Rosario Sanchez and Ramón Matías Mella, is considered as one of the founding fathers of the Dominican Republic.
After the troops of the Haitian Toussaint L'Ouverture arrived to the Dominican Republic in 1801, Duarte's parents, Juan José Duarte and Manuela Diez Jiménez, left to Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, where it is assumed their first son Vicente Celestino was born. The family returned to the country after the war of the Reconquest in 1844, when the Dominican Republic was again a Spanish colony. His family resided on the western side of the Ozama river, in the La Atarazana zone.

[edit] The Struggle for Independence
Due to the neglect of the Spanish authorities, the colonists of Santo Domingo, under the leadership of José Núñez de Cáceres, proclaimed what came to be called the Ephemeral Independence. The neighboring Haitians (Haiti is a former French colony) who had already gained independence were fearful the French would mount another expedition from Spanish Santo Domingo to re-establish slavery, (as they had threatened to do), Haiti's president Jean-Pierre Boyer sent an army that invaded and took over the eastern portion of Hispaniola. Haiti once again abolished slavery and incorporated Santo Domingo into the Republic of Haiti. After this event Duarte's parents sent their son to study in Europe.
On April 20, 1838, Duarte and others established a secret dissident society called La Trinitaria, shaped after the Carbonari, which helped undermine Haitian rule. Some of its first members included Juan Pablo Duarte, Juan Isidro Pérez, Pedro Alejandro Pina, Jacinto de la Concha, Félix María Ruiz, José María Serra, Benito González, Felipe Alfau and Juan Nepomuceno Ravelo. Later, he and others founded another society, called La Filantrópica, which had a more public presence, seeking to spread veiled separatist ideas through theatrical stages. All of this, along with the help of many who wanted to be rid of the Haitians who discriminated against white Dominicans and return to Spanish rule (and not to create an independent nation), led to the proclamation of independence on February 27, 1844 (Dominican War of Independence). However, Duarte had already been exiled to Caracas the previous year for his insurgent conduct. He continued to correspond with members of his family and members of the independence movement. Independance could not be denied and after many struggles, the Dominican Republic. A republican form of government where a free people would hold ultimate power, through the voting process, a democracy where every citizen would be equal and free. Dominican, as viewed by Duarte evincing the kindness and tenderness of the Catholic faith as he saw it, through the example of the Dominican monks, "the dogs of Christ", such as Bartholomew of Las Casas who had been a crusader and fighter for the rights of the downtrodden taino natives. Therefore with its flag and beautiful coat of arms, declaring "God, Fatherland and Freedom", all of these inspired, evoked and expressed by Duarte came into being a country that would soon owe this one man its existence, who gave his fortune and the very best of his life to the cause he fervently believed in.
Duarte was supported by many as a candidate for the presidency of the new born Republic. Mella, wanted Duarte to simply declare himself president. Duarte never giving up on the principles of democracy and fairness he lived by would only accept if voted in by a majority of the Dominican people. However the reactionary forces of those favoring Spanish sovereignty (or any superpower's protection), led by general Pedro Santana a large landowner from the eastern highlands, took over and exiled Duarte. In 1845, Santana exiled the entire Duarte family. Santana was awarded the hereditary title of Marqués de las Carreras by the Spanish Queen Isabel II and died soon after.
Juan Pablo Duarte, then living in Venezuela was made the Dominican Consul and provided with a pension to honor him for his sacrifice. But even this after some time was not honored and he lost commission and pension. He, Juan Pablo Duarte, the poet, philosopher, writer, actor, soldier, general, dreamer and hero died nobly in Caracas, Venezuela, at the age of 63. His remains were transferred to Dominican soil in 1884, ironically by president (dictator) Ulises Heureaux,(of Haitian descent) and were given a proper burial with full honors. He is entombed in a beautiful mausoleum at the Count's gate alongside Sanchez and Mella, who at that spot with Duarte fired the rifle shot that propelled them into legend. His birth is commemorated by Dominicans every January 26

2007-08-07T13:10:00.001-07:00